Effect of Moderate Intensity Aerobic Exercise on Fertility Hormones in Male Obese Individual in Nnewi, Nigeria

Context: Obesity is a major global public health issue which could result from sedentary lifestyle and poor dieting, and consequently hormonal imbalance. Aim: To evaluate fertility hormones in male obese subjects, and the subsequent effect of moderate intensity aerobic exercise on these parameters after 12 weeks of intervention. Subjects and Methods: 90 obese (48 class I and 42 class II) and 50 normal weight (control) subjects were recruited. Subsequently, 18 male obese subjects were randomly selected and subjected to a 12-week aerobic training program using a total cross bar machine, three sessions weekly, which consisted of a 10–15 min warm-up and 35–50 min total cross bar machine exercise. Blood samples were collected at baseline, 6 weeks and after 12 weeks of intervention for luteinizing hormone, follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin, testosterone, and estradiol using enzyme-linked immunoassay. Statistical Analysis: Statistics was done using SPSS version 23. Results: The mean level of testosterone and FSH was significantly lower while estradiol was significantly higher in class I and II when compared with the control (P < 0.05). On subjecting them to 12 weeks exercise, there were significant increases in FSH and testosterone and decrease in estradiol when compared with the baseline values (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Weight loss through moderate intensity exercise may improve the reproductive hormone profile of male obese individuals, thereby reducing rate of infertility.