Qom University of Medical Sciences Journal

Background and Objectives: Apelin is secreted from visceral adipose tissue. However, the effect of resistance training and consequent detraining on the apelin level in obesity, has not yet been clearly determined. In the current research, the effect of 4 weeks of detraining after a period of resistance training, was investigated on the plasma apelin levels in overweight and obese girls.

Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 22 overweight and obese girls were purposefully selected and randomly divided into two groups of experimental (n=12) and control (n=10). The experimental group exercised in an 8-week training program (4 sessions per week) according to a training program with an intensity of 65-80% of one maximum repetition, and then experienced 4 weeks of detraining. Blood sampling was performed after a 12-h fasting in various phases and the level of apelin was measured. Data were analyzed by Kolmogorov-Smirnov, repeated measure ANOVA, post-hoc LSD, and independent t-tests at a significance level of α <0.05.

Results: Resistance training caused a significant decrease in weight, BMI, and body fat mass in the experimental group compared to the control group (p<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the level of apelin (p>0.05). Also, after 4 weeks of detraining a slight increase was seen in the levels of apelin, but was not significant (p>0.05).

Conclusion: According to the results of this study, resistance training as a new non-drug therapy can be effective in reducing the levels of apelin. Also, apelin levels increases with discontinuation of exercise, which may lead to the emergence of inflammatory features in the cardiovascular system.