Effect of Pilates Training on Plasma Levels of Ghrelin and Obestatin in Obese Older Men

Being obese and overweight lead to decreased plasma levels of such appetitive hormones as ghrelin and Obestatin. A limited number of studies have been conducted on the effects of exercise on ghrelin and obestatin, especially on humans. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effect of 6-month Pilates exercises on plasma levels of ghrelin and Obestatin in obese old men. Twenty obese elderly male from Salehin elderly house were selected and randomly divided into two groups: experimental group (height 165.28 cm, weight 94.11 kg, age 64 years old) and control group (height 164.54 cm, weight 86.8 kg, age 65 years). Then, experimental group did the Pilates exercise therapy program for 6 months, 3 sessions per week, per sessions 60 minutes, while the control group received no intervention and were just followed. Weight, body fat percentage, body mass index (BMI) variables were measured in both groups before and after the exercises. Blood samples were collected in a fasting status in two stages, 48 hours before and after exercise in order to measure the Plasma levels of Ghrelin and Obestatin. All statistical calculations were performed by SPSS software (version 19) via applying paired t-test and independent t-test. The study results showed that the values of weight, body fat percentage, BMI and WHR significantly decreased after exercising Pilates for 6 Months. Plasma levels of Ghrelin and Obestatin significantly increased (p<0.05) and also a significant correlation was observed between ghrelin and obestatin plasma levels (P=0.000، r=0.907). The study findings revealed that 6-month Pilates exercising could reduce weight, body fat percentage, body mass index and increases plasma levels of Ghrelin and obestatin. Moreover, a significant correlation was observed between ghrelin and obestatin.