Aerobic Exercise Training-Induced Decrease in Plasma Visfatin and Insulin Resistance in Obese Female Adolescents

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess differences in the levels of plasma visfatin among female adolescents and changes in plasma visfatin and insulin resistance in obese female adolescents after 12 wk of aerobic exercise training. Twenty normal-weight female students (body-mass index [BMI] < 22.9 kg/m² and body fat ≤ 29.9) and 18 obese female students (BMI ≥ 25 kg/ m² and body fat ≥ 30%) participated in this study. Eleven obese students were assigned to an exercise group and completed a 12-wk aerobic exercise-training program that included four 40- to 50-min sessions per wk with an energy expenditure of 300-400 kcal/d. Seven obese students were assigned to a control group that received no exercise sessions or dietary restriction. The plasma visfatin levels of obese female adolescents were significantly higher (p < .05) than those of the normal-weight female adolescents. The plasma visfatin levels (294.00 ± 124.74 ng/ml to 185.55 ± 67.30 ng/ml, p < .01) and insulin resistance (p < .05) were significantly reduced after 12 wk of aerobic exercise. The results suggest that aerobic exercise resulting in an energy expenditure of 1,200-1,600 kcal/wk for 12 wk decreases plasma visfatin and insulin resistance in obese female adolescents.

Effects of Resistance and Aerobic Exercise Training or Education Associated with a Dietetic Program on Visfatin Concentrations and Body Composition in Overweight and Obese Women

“…Similarly, Brema et al (2008) found decreased visfatin levels, in addition to waist circumference, in 30 15-year-old obese participants with type 2 diabetes before and after 12 weeks of aerobic training performed at 75% of maximum aerobic power for one hour utilizing four sessions weekly (35). Lee et al (2010) too observed that 12 weeks of aerobic training resulted in reduced visfatin concentrations in obese females (10).…”

“…the role of visfatin in the development of overweightness and obesity arises from those studies that demonstrate increased visfatin concentrations in overweight and obese individuals (10,11). In addition, these elevated visfatin concentrations and its gene expression in fat cells in obese individuals provides convincing evidence of the relationship of visfatin with visceral fat mass and body mass index (12).…”

“…While it has been demonstrated that visfatin increases after the first phase of exhaustive aerobic exercise, and remains high for 24 hours following the exercise bout (13), a reduction of plasma visfatin levels or even the absence of change in visfatin levels following aerobic exercise have also been reported (14). In spite of the majority of published results having utilized only aerobic training in their protocols, data from recent studies suggests that resistance training may be an effective alternative to aerobic training for improving body composition in obese individuals (10,15), since resistance training has been shown to preferentially reduce visceral and subcutaneous tissue in the abdominal region (10). Further, previous studies may indicate a possibility that a combination of both aerobic and resistance training may reduce visfatin even more than either aerobic or resistance training alone due to superior improvements in body composition, especially abdominal fat (10), and even superior improvements in self-reported dietary restriction, above those of these sole modes of exercise training (16).…”

“…In spite of the majority of published results having utilized only aerobic training in their protocols, data from recent studies suggests that resistance training may be an effective alternative to aerobic training for improving body composition in obese individuals (10,15), since resistance training has been shown to preferentially reduce visceral and subcutaneous tissue in the abdominal region (10). Further, previous studies may indicate a possibility that a combination of both aerobic and resistance training may reduce visfatin even more than either aerobic or resistance training alone due to superior improvements in body composition, especially abdominal fat (10), and even superior improvements in self-reported dietary restriction, above those of these sole modes of exercise training (16). Recently, some studies have suggested that plasma visfatin is reduced after aerobic exercise training in sedentary, older, obese men and women (17).…”

The Effects of Physical Activity on Serum Visfatin Level: A Literature Review

“…41 Lee et al evaluated the influence of aerobic exercise over 3 months of training on plasma visfatin levels and showed a significant reduction in the plasma levels of visfatin and insulin resistance. 42 In a study on 50 professional female basketball and handball players, it was observed that plasma adiponectin levels decreased after 2 hours of aerobic exercise. 43 Haus et al also reported that aerobic exercise reduced the level of plasma visfatin followed by improved glucose tolerance.…”