Effects of aerobic training, resistance training, or both on circulating irisin and myostatin in untrained women

Background: Scientific literature suggests that different types of training can have different effects on secretion of irisin and myostatin.Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of resistance exercise training (RET), aerobic exercise training (AET) and concurrent (aerobic + resistance) exercise training (CET) on serum irisin and myostatin in untrained women.Methods: Thirty-five non-obese, untrained women were randomly assigned to control (n = 6, age 25.50 ± 4.80 years), RET (n = 10, age 24.60 ± 2.45 years), AET (n = 9, age 24.66 ± 2.29 years) or CET (n = 10, age 26.60 ± 4.00 years) groups. Subjects in training groups trained for 8 weeks, three times per week. The levels of serum irisin, myostatin were measured before and after the training period. Results: It was found that the CET group had significantly reduced serum irisin (p = .028) and myostatin (p = .005) concentrations. The myostatin concentration was also significantly decreased in the RET group (p = .008). Conclusion: CET, AET or RET were not effective for improving (increase) irisin circulating level. In addition, RET and CET were more effective than AET in reducing circulating myostatin levels.