The Influence of Circuit Resistance Training Intensity on Ghrelin To Obestatin Ratio of Plasma in Healthy Young Women

Ghrelin and obestatin are orexigenic and anorexigenic peptides, respectively, which are believed to be important in the regulation of energy homeostasis and body weight control. The purpose of this study was to clarify the possible mechanisms of resistance training in energy homeostasis and weight control. Twenty-seven female college students, age 22±1.54 yr, and body mass index 20.76±1.86 kg/m2 (mean±SE) were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. Subjects performed circuit-resistance training protocol with 40% and 80% 1RM for 4 weeks. Circulating levels of total ghrelin, obestatin, ghrelin to obestatin ratio and glucose were measured before and after 4 weeks intervention for all subjects. One-way ANOVA revealed a higher and significant(P<0.05) post- training change in circulating levels of ghrelin to obestatin ratio as well as plasma obestatin concentrations significantly decreased (P<0.05) in the 80% 1RM group. It seems that resistance training-induced energy deficit in the 80% 1RM group resulted that ghrelin precursor goes to the production of ghrelin. Thus, obestatin secretion is reduced and ghrelin to obestatin ratio is increased to stimulate food intake behavior, compensating for lost energy sources and eventually restoring the body’s energy balance.