Comparison of interval and continuous exercises on function of growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-1 axis in obese women

The aim of this study was the comparison of two different interval and continuous exercise regimen on GH/IGF-1 axis function. Methods and Materials: 36 inactive and overweight women were divided randomly in three 12 person groups as below: interval exercise training program (average age: 23. 58±2. 27 years old، BMI 30. 60±0. 33 kg/m2، fat percentage 35. 59±0. 33 percent)، continuous exercise training program (average age: 25. 41±2. 84 years old، BMI 30. 51±0. 55 kg/m2، fat percentage 35. 54±0. 47 percent) and control group (average age: 22±2. 4 years old، BMI 30. 54±0. 51 kg/m2، fat percentage 35. 54±0. 64 percent). Both exercise regimens consisted of running in 60-75 % MHR 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks. Data were analyzed by using of paired t-test and one-way ANOVA test at P<0/05 This study showed that in the interval and continuous groups، the levels of GH and IGF-1 serum increased significantly. The amount of body fat percent in both groups decreased significantly (p<0. 05). The changes of GH and BMI levels، and the percentage of body fat were significant in the post-test values of interval، continuous and control groups (p<0. 05)، but it was not significant for IGF-1 levels. The results of the research showed that continuous exercise increases the GH levels and leads to the adjustment of weight balance.