Hormonal adaptations to moderate-intensity endurance training in sedentary obese men

Exercise and physical activity improve obesity and its complications via affecting on hormones regulating energy homeostasis and metabolism. This study examined the influence of moderate-intensity endurance training on serum levels of leptin، cortisol، testosterone، growth hormone and insulin Resistance Index (HOMA-IR) in sedentary obese men. 20 sedentary obese men (BMI≥30) in two experimental and control groups participated in 16 weeks of moderate- intensity endurance training (60-70% of reserve heart rate)، three days per week. Serum levels of leptin، cortisol، testosterone، growth hormone and insulin، and anthropometric indices were measured before and after the last training session. Although 16 weeks of moderate- intensity endurance training significantly decreased leptin level (P=0. 003) and increased cortisol (P=0. 009) and growth hormone (P=0. 040) levels، but no significant changes was observed in testosterone and insulin concentrations، and insulin resistance index in training group (P>0. 05). Pearson correlation did not mentioned significant correlations between the primary level of leptin and primary values of anthropometric indices and HOMA-IR (P>0. 05). However following the intervention، there were significant correlations between changes in leptin concentrations and changes in weight، BMI، waist circumference and WHR (P<0. 05). Moderate- intensity endurance training improves body composition and changes leptin، cortisol and growth hormone concentration; and therefore ameliorates metabolic hormonal profile in obese men. However، these changes may not be in the line with changes in insulin and testosterone