Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

Background: Visfatin is a newly characterized adipokines which is highly expressed in visceral adipose tissue and may play a role in insulin resistance. The aim of this study was assessing the effect of 12 weeks aerobic exercise on Visfatin level and insulin resistance in obese women.

Methods: This study was a semi-experimental research. Twenty obese volunteer women (age 37±9.89 yr, body mass index 35.8±3.67 kg/m², fat percentage 43.98±4.02% and waist-hip ratio 1.03±0.05(means ±SD) were randomly divided into two equal groups (each with 10 individuals), experimental and control. Aerobic training program was included three sessions per week in 12 weeks that was performed with treadmill (starting with 60-65%, heart rate max/15-20 min, final with 80-85%, heart rate max/ 45-50 min). Body composition, glucose, insulin and Visfatin levels were measured in two groups before and after intervention. Insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was measured by the calculation of relevant equation. For inter group comparison, paired t-test and between group comparison independent-t test was used (significance level p<0.05).

Results: The obtained result showed that after 12 weeks, no significant differences in fat percentage, WHR, glucose, insulin, and Visfatin levels and insulin resistance index among the two groups were detected. Significant decrease in body composition including weight, and BMI was observed in case group (p<0.05).

Conclusions: One can conclude that the 12-week aerobic exercise cannot reduce the levels of visfatin, but can reduce the BMI.