Influence of Training and Single Exercise on Leptin Level and Metabolism in Obese Overweight and Normal-Weight Women of Different Age

Abstract

Leptin is one of the important hormones secreted by adipose tissue. It participates in the regulation of energy processes in the body through central and peripheral mechanisms. The aim of this study was to analyse the anthropological and physical performance changes during 9 month training in women of different age and body mass. The additional aim was the analysis of leptin levels in the fasting stage and after a control exercise. Obese (O), overweight (OW), and normal-weight (N) women participated in the study. Additional subgroups of premenopausal (PRE) (<50 years) and postmenopausal (POST) (50+) women were created for leptin level analysis. The main criterion of the division into subgroups was the age of menopause in the population. The control submaximal test and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) according to Astrand–Rhyming procedures was performed at baseline and after 3, 6, and 9 months. Before each control test, body weight (BM), body mass index (BMI), percentage of adipose tissue (% FAT), and mass (FAT (kg)) were measured. Moreover, before and after each test, leptin level was measured. After 9 months, there was a significant decrease in BM in the O (p < 0.05) and OW (p < 0.05) groups with no significant changes in the N group. There was a decrease in BMI in both the O (p < 0.05) and the OW (p < 0.05) groups, with no changes in the N group. The % FAT reduction was noted only in the O group (p < 0.05). VO2max increased in each of the measured groups (p < 0.05). The fasting leptin level at 0, 3, 6, and 9 months were the highest in the O group. The fasting leptin level before training was highest in the O group compared to the OW group (p < 0.01) and the N group (p < 0.01). It was also higher in the OW group compared to the N group at baseline (0) (p < 0.01) and after 3 and 6 months (p < 0.01). After 9 months, the leptin concentration decreased by 20.2% in the O group, 40.7% in the OW group, and 33% in the N group. Moreover, the fasting leptin level was higher in the POST subgroup compared to the PRE group in the whole group of women (p < 0.05). After a single exercise, the level of leptin in the whole study group decreased (p < 0.05). This was clearly seen, especially in the POST group. The 9 month training had a reducing effect on the blood leptin concentration in groups O, OW, and N. This may have been a result of weight loss and the percentage of fat in the body, as well as systematically disturbed energy homeostasis.