Effects of Exercise Type and Intensity on Visfatin and the Metabolic Syndrome in Obesity

Objective: Visfatin may regulate a variety of physiological functions and it has great potential to significantly enhance our knowledge of the treatment of metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome (MS) refers to metabolic abnormalities, such as abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, high low-density cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes, and physical activity is an important factor for the management of MS. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of visfatin on MS and MS risk factors through differences in aerobic exercise intensity and exercise type based on the premise of the same amount of exercise (energy expenditure of 400 kcal per day).

Method: Thirty two obese, middle-aged women were randomly assigned to exercise intensity groups VO2max 50% (MAE, n=8) and VO2max 80% (VAE, n=8) and to type of exercise groups VO2max 50% + TRX (MARE, n=8) and VO2max 80% + TRX (VARE, n=8). The exercise program was performed 5 times a week. The data was analyzed using two-way repeated measures ANOVA and post-hoc tests within groups with LSD.

Results: Body weight (p<.01 and p<.001) and % body fat (p<.05 and p<.01) significantly decreased in all groups and visfatin only increased significantly after exercise in the VARE group (p<.05). TG, glucose, and waist circumstance (p<.05, p<.01, and p<.001) significantly decreased in all groups and HDL-C (p<.05) only increased significantly after exercise only in the MARE group.

Conclusion: These results suggest that, in spite of differences in exercise intensity and exercise type, exercise is effective in improving obesity and MS risk factors, but further research is needed on the exact mechanisms of visfatin.

https://doi.org/10.1590/1517-8692202127022020_0088