The effect of 8 weeks of combined training (aerobic and resistance) on Irisin levels and its relationship with serum glucose in overweight men

Irisin is expressed from Fndc5 protein in muscle cells and affects obesity and energy metabolism by converting white fat to brown. This study aimed to investigate the effects of 8 weeks of combined exercises on irisin levels and relationship between serum glucose in overweight men.

This semi experimental study was performed using a pre-test and post-test design, twenty two overweight young men (body mass index=28.67± 0.96 and age = 31.50±2.23) were selected and divided randomly into the two experimental groups: combined exercises (n=11) and control (n = 11). Combined exercise protocol (aerobic with of 65-85% of maximum heart rate and resistance with 50% of 1RM) was for 8 weeks and 3 sessions per week blood samples were taken from the subjects 24 and 48 hours before and after the research project to measure the serum level of irisin and glucose. Data were analyzed by t-test and Pearson correlations test.

The results of the study showed that irisin levels decreased following 8 weeks of training intervention but this decrease was not significant (P=0.14), and serum glucose did not decrease significantly after 8 weeks of training (P>0.05). Pearson correlation coefficient did not show a significant relationship between irisin and serum glucose levels (P>0.05).

Combined exercise is one of the exercise methods to lose weight and achieve fitness in overweight people, which by converting white adipose to brown adipose to increase energy metabolism which helps overweight people.