Journal of Exercise & Organ Cross Talk
Journal of Eexercise & Organ Cross Talk

The effect of moderate-intensity interval training on plasma subfatin levels and body composition in sedentary obese middle-aged women

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Zeynab Molaei Arpanahi
Mehdi Bostani

Department of Physical Education, Ahv.C., Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22122/jeoct.2025.546876.1168
Abstract
Obesity is a major risk factor for metabolic diseases. Subfatin, an adipokine with potential metabolic benefits, is of increasing interest. This study investigated the effects of eight weeks of Moderate-Intensity Interval Training (MIIT) on plasma subfatin levels and body composition in sedentary, obese, middle-aged women. Thirty sedentary women (aged 50-60 years; BMI >30 kg/m²) were purposively selected and randomly assigned to an experimental (n=15) or a control (n=15) group. The experimental group performed an eight-week MIIT program (three sessions/week) at an intensity of 50-75% of heart rate reserve, following the principle of progressive overload. The control group maintained their usual sedentary routine. Fasting plasma subfatin levels were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and body composition indices (BMI, body fat percentage [BFP], waist-to-hip ratio [WHR]) were assessed pre- and post-intervention. The MIIT group exhibited a significant increase in plasma subfatin levels (p=0.016) and a significant decrease in BFP (p=0.01) compared to the control group. While positive trends were observed, no significant inter-group differences were found for BMI (p>0.05) or WHR (p=0.095). An eight-week MIIT program effectively elevated plasma subfatin concentration and reduced body fat percentage in sedentary, obese, middle-aged women. These results suggest that MIIT may be a valuable exercise strategy for improving adipokine profile and body composition in this population.

 
 


 

What is already known on this subject?

Obesity is a disorder characterized by excessive accumulation of visceral and subcutaneous fat and excess weight. This weight gain results from greater energy intake than energy expenditure.

 

What this study adds?

Exercise activities, especially moderate-intensity interval training through the increasing anti-inflammatory factors such as subfatin, play an important role in controlling obesity and, consequently, reducing the complications caused by obesity.

Keywords

Obesity
MIIT
Body composition
Subfatin

Subjects

Acknowledgements

This article is derived from the master's thesis of the Islamic Azad University of Ahvaz Branch, which hereby acknowledges and thanks the research area of the Islamic Azad University of Ahvaz Branch and the research subjects who cooperated with us.

Funding

None.

Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Compliance with ethical standards

Conflict of interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval Given that the present study was conducted on human samples with exercise intervention over a relatively long period of time, in full compliance with the ethical principles of research, approval was received from the ethics committee with the ID number IR.IAU.AHVAZ.REC.1404.192 from the Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz Branch.

Informed consent Participants signed an informed consent form prior to participation in the study

Author contributions

Conceptualization: Z.M.A., M.B.,; Methodology: Z.M.A., M.B.,; Software: Z.M.A., M.B.; Validation: Z.M.A., M.B.; Formal analysis: Z.M.A., M.B.; Investigation: Z.M.A., M.B.; Resources: Z.M.A., M.B.; Data curation: Z.M.A., M.B.; Writing - original draft: Z.M.A., M.B.; Writing–review & editing: Z.M.A., M.B.; Visualization: Z.M.A., M.B.; Supervision: M.B.; Project administration: Z.M.A., M.B.; Funding acquisition: M.B.

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Journal of Exercise & Organ Cross Talk
Volume 5, Issue 3
Summer 2025
Pages 103-108

  • Receive Date 13 July 2025
  • Revise Date 20 September 2025
  • Accept Date 22 September 2025

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