Effects of Low-Intensity Resistance versus High-Intensity Interval Aerobic Training on Serum Interleukin-6 Concentration and Insulin Resistance Markers in Obese and Young Men

Introduction: Regular exercise training is a useful strategy to reduce inflammatory markers, but it is still unclear what type of training is better. Thus, this study compared the effects of 12-week of low-intensity resistance (Low-RT) and high-intensity interval aerobic training (High-IAT) on serum interleukin (IL)-6 levels and insulin resistance (IR) markers in obese and young men. Methods In this quasi-experimental study, 38 obese and young men (age = 28.4 ± 5.2 years and body fat% = 27.5 ± 1.5) randomly assigned into a low-RT (n=14), high-IAT (n=12) and control (CON, n=12) groups. An age-matched control group of non-obese men (age = 27.0 ± 5.9 years, body fat% = 15.5 ± 2.6 and n=15) were also recruited for baseline comparison. Subjects performed the training programs (Low-RT: 10 exercises at 30-50% of 1-repetition maximum, and High-IAT: 16-minute of interval running at 80-90% of maximum heartbeat with a 3-minute recovery between intervals) for 12 weeks and 3-day a week. Data analyzed using SPSS version 18. Results: The independent t-test showed that the concentrations of glucose (P = 0.01), insulin (P = 0.04) and IR-index (P = 0.02) in obese men was higher than the non-obese at baseline, but no significant difference was noted for IL-6 (P = 0.14). The 2-factor analysis of variance revealed that insulin and IR-index similarly and remarkably decreased in response to the training (P < 0.05), but remained unchanged with glucose and IL-6 (P > 0.05). Conclusion: In summary, insulin resistance markers in the obese men group were higher than in the non-obese men group, but no significant difference was detected in IL-6 in these groups. Insulin and IR-index decreased remarkably and similarly after training programs, but no significant changes were found in glucose and IL-6.