The effect of concurrent training in fasted and fed state on appetite and resting levels of leptin and ghrelin in obese men

exercise training has a remarkable metabolic and appetite-regulating effects. Appetite-regulating effects of exercise training may be altered by fasted and fed status.

in a randomized trial, 54 obese men with BMI > 30 kg/m2 were randomly divided into groups including 2 experimental groups of training (fasted and fed) and control. The experimental groups performed a concurrent exercise program including aerobic training (walking/ running at 60-70% of heart rate reserve lasting 30 minutes) followed by strength training (circuit training with 10 repetitions for each exercise in 3 rounds interspersed with 2-3 min rest) with a frequency of 3 d/w over 8 weeks. The fasted group performed exercise program following overnight fasting, and the fed group performed the exercise program following breakfast. At the beginning and 48 hours after the last training session measurements were performed. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance at a significance level of 0.05.

concurrent training resulted in a significant decrease in leptin (p=0.001) as well as the appetite (p=0.002) compared to the control group; yet, no significant difference was observed between the two experimental groups (P<0.05). Furthermore, ghrelin significantly decreased in the experimental groups compared to the control (p=0.001) and a significant difference between the two experimental groups was also observed (p=0.013).

The findings of the present study indicates that appetite and leptin are remarkably affect by concurrent training but not by pre-exercise feeding status. However, ghrelin resting concentration is likely to be affect by pre-exercise feeding status (fasted vs fed).