Effect of one or two sessions per day of physical activity, with equal intensity and duration, on adiponectin and insulin resistance in sedentary middle-aged men

improves insulin resistance. However, the effect of training sessions a day is not clear in this regard. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of one or two sessions a day of exercise training, with equal intensity and duration, on insulin resistance in sedentary middle-aged men. Materials & Methods: 30 sedentary middle-aged male volunteers (age=43.6±6.5 yr, weight=80.4±13.6kg, height=174.1±5.5cm,BMI=26.5±3.6kg/m2،VO2max=35.46±6ml/kg) randomized to the control (n=10), one session a day (n=10)and two sessions a day training group( n=10). Exercise program consisted of 16 weeks, five days a week, tread mill running which was implemented as one (30 minutes) or two sessions (2×15 minutes) a day. Training intensity was 40-50% of HRmax at first week and reached to 70-80% at 16th week of the training. Measurements of fasting blood samples (insulin, glucose and adiponectin), insulin resistance, cardiorespiratory fitness, abdominal obesity and BMI were obtained at baseline and post exercise. Paired t test and analysis of Variance were used to analyze the data. Results: After 16 weeks of training, compared with the control group, a significant reduction in blood glucose, abdominal obesity and BMI, and a significant increase in cardiorespiratory fitness were observed in the both experimental groups; whereas insulin resistance remained unchanged, and adiponectin was significantly increased only in the one session a day training group. Conclusion: based on the findings it seems that, dividing the physical activity session in two shorter parts can improve glucose profile, cardiorespiratory fitness and obesity indicators the same as a continuous exercise session. But in terms of increased adiponectin and decreased abdominal obesity, continuous exercise session is more effective.