Comparison of the effects of 12 weeks of three types of resistance training (traditional, circular and interval) on the levels of neuregulin 4, adiponectin and leptin in non-athletic men with obesity.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to compare three types of resistance training including traditional, circular and interval in non-athletic men with obesity in comparison to a control group for neuregulin 4, adiponectin and leptin responses. Material and method The sample of the study included 44 non-athletic men with obesity, who were randomly divided into the 4 equal groups (10 per each group): traditional, circular, and interval resistance training as well as a control group. Neuregulin 4, leptin and adiponectin were analyzed using ELISA commercial kits. Results The results of mixed-design ANOVA with repeated measures showed that there was a significant interaction between the type of resistance training used and time on neuregulin 4 (F (3, 40) = 80.22, P= 0.005, ES = 0.85), leptin (F (3, 40) = 27.53, P= 0.005, ES = 0.67) and adiponectin (F (3, 40) = 12.44, P= 0.005, ES = 0.48). Considering the main effect of groups, results indicated that there was a significant difference between types of resistance training and control group in neuregulin 4 (F (1, 40) =41.31, P=0.005, ES = 0.75), adiponectin (F (1, 40) =15.08, P=0.005, ES = 0.53) and leptin (F (1, 40) =32.05, P = 0.005, ES = 0.70). Conclusion Findings suggest that resistance training, especially interval resistance training can lead to increase the plasma level of neuregulin 4, adiponectin and decrease leptin in non-athletic men with obesity. Interval training showed superior effects on all study outcomes followed by circular and traditional training, respectively.