The effect of TRX exercises on serum levels of IGF-1 and cortisol and some health-related physical factors in active women

The most important anabolic and catabolic hormones which levels are altered by resistance training are IGF-1 and cortisol, respectively. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of total body resistance training (TRX) on serum levels of IGF-1, cortisol and some health-related physical factors in active women.  

In this study, 20 active women (mean age 27.05 ± 3.11) were randomly divided into experimental (n= 10) and control (n= 10) groups. The experimental group program consisted of TRX training for 6 weeks, 3 sessions per week for 50-60 minutes under the supervision of a TRX trainer. The intensity of the exercises for the first two weeks, using the Borg scale was in the range of 4-5, in the second and the third two weeks, based on the increase in load in the range of 5-6 and 6-7, respectively. Serum levels of IGF-1, cortisol, body fat percentage, upper and lower body strength and endurance were measured before and after exercise.

Six weeks of TRX training increased cortisol and IGF-1 levels in active women, although this increase was not statistically significant (p>0.05). But the results showed that these exercises can significantly decrease body fat percentage and increase the strength and endurance of the upper and lower muscles of active women.

According to the findings of the present study, it seems that performing the TRX training can significantly improve body fat percentage, strength and muscle endurance in active women and could utilize as an alternative resistance training model to improve fitness factors.