Aerobic Versus Resistance Training: Leptin and Metabolic Parameters Improvement in Type 2 Diabetes Obese Men

Purpose: The purpose of the research was to determine the changes in metabolic parameters, leptin, and irisin levels after aerobic and resistance training in type-2 diabetes obese men. Methods: Forty-five participants in the age range of 17-25 years were randomized into three groups: aerobic training (AT), resistance training (RT), and control (CO). All training sessions were fulfilled 4 days per week for two months. The aerobic training began with intensity of 65% of the maximum aerobic power and finished with 90%. The resistance program started with 50% of one-repetition maximum and reached 70% in the 8th week. Results: Factorial analysis of variance and Bonferroni post-hoc test revealed significant decreases in leptin (p = .043), fasting blood sugar (FBS) (p = .023), insulin (p = .001), homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (p = .022) in AT compared with CO and insulin (p = .006) in AT compared with RT. The change of percent body fat (PBF) was positively correlated only with change of HOMA-IR in AT group (p = .032) at p < .05. Conclusion: The result suggests that, compared to resistance training, aerobic training can control metabolic situations such as insulin resistance through the leptin hormone function, and not irisin in type-2 diabetes obese men.