The effect of resistance training and alternate day low-calorie diet on some inflammatory and metabolic indicators in obese women

Adipokines play an essential role in the pathogenesis of obesity and insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of alternate day low-calorie diet and resistance training on inflammatory and metabolic indicators in obese women. In this semi-experimental study, 32 healthy obese women aged 30-45 years old and with a body mass index between 27 and 35 kg/m2 were purposefully selected and equally randomly divided into four groups: control, resistance training, alternate day low-calorie diet, resistance training and alternate day low-calorie diet (combined). The training groups performed a resistance training program with an intensity of 50 to 85% of 1RM, three sessions per week, for eight weeks. During this period, the diet groups were subjected to a diet plan including days with calorie restriction (odd days) and free days (even days). Before starting the research protocol and 72 hours after the last training session, body composition and serum levels of inflammatory and metabolic indices were measured. Factorial repeated-measured ANOVA was used for data analysis, at the level of P<0.05. The interaction effect of time × group was significant for body weight (P=0.006) and BMI (P=0.007). The results showed a significant increase in body weight (P=0.016) and BMI (P=0.005) in the control group. While in the alternate day low-calorie diet (P=0.035) and combined (P=0.032) groups, a significant decrease in body weight was observed. The interaction effect of time × group was also significant for the serum levels of TNF-α (P=0.027) and insulin (P=0.025). The serum concentration of TNF-α was associated with a significant increase in the alternate day low-calorie diet group (P=0.000) and the combined group (P=0.011). Serum levels of insulin in the alternate day low-calorie diet (P=0.026) and combined (P=0.022) groups had a significant decrease compared to the control group. Significant changes in serum adiponectin levels were observed in the alternate day low-calorie diet (P=0.021) and combined (P=0.003) groups compared to the control group. It seems that a longer period of time is needed to observe the effects of alternate day low-calorie diet alone or combined with resistance training in obese women on improving body composition and, as a result, inflammatory and metabolic indicators.