The effect of different intensity walking programs on resistin and visfatin levels in pre-menopausal women
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Date
2011
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Abstract
Aim: The aim of the study was to examine the effect of two different intensity (walking speeds) walking programs on resistin and visfatin levels in pre-menopausal women. Material and Methods: Thirty-seven pre-menopausal women (30-49 years) were divided into a high-intensity walking group (HIWG; n=12), a moderate-intensity walking group (MIWG; n=14), and a control group (CG; n=11). The exercise groups walked for twelve weeks, five days per week from 30-60min/day. The HIWG and MIWG walked at 70-75% and 50-55% maximum heart rate reserve, respectively. Body weight, percent body fat, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), glucose, insulin, resistin, and visfatin were measured; the HOMA-IR (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance) index was calculated before and after the study. Results: VO2max improved in both exercise groups (p<.01), favoring HIWG (p<.01); body weight, percent body fat, BMI and WC reducing significantly in exercise groups. Visfatin (p<.05) and resistin (p<.01) reduced only in the HIWG; with no differences between groups. The exercise groups showed significant differences from the CG in terms of percent body fat, WC, and VO2max. The reduction in WC was greater in the HIWG than in the MIWG (p<.01). There were no intra and inter group differences for insulin, glucose, and HOMA-IR index, except for a significant increase in insulin levels in MIWG (p<.05). Conclusion: Walking programs with different intensity resulted in favorable changes. However, due to the significantly greater increases in VO2max, and greater reductions in percent body fat, resistin and visfatin levels, high-intensity walking is advisable to healthy pre-menopausal women to improve cardiac fitness, prevent obesity and reduce insulin-resistance.