The effect of concurrent training on apelin, interleukin-6, C-reactive protein levels in middle-aged sedentary men

Abstract Background and Aim: Among the wide range of adipokines, aplein has recently been considered by researchers due to association with body composition indices such as fat percentage and inflammatory markers. The aim of this study, was to investigate the effect of concurrent training (aerobic and strength) on apelin, interleukin-6, C-reactive protein levels in middle-aged sedentary obese men. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 30 men aged between 48 to 60 years, with mean height 174.43±7.51 cm, mean weight 93/53±5.26 kg and mean BMI 30.88±0.81 kg/m2 were randomly allocated to the resistance training (n=15), and control groups (n=15). The training program consists of 12 weeks concurrent endurance and strength training. Blood samples were collected for measurements of apelin, interleukin-6, C-reactive protein and insulin resistance index before and after 12 weeks. Result: Research findings showed that the concurrent training could significantly reduce Body Mass Index (p=0.002), insulin resistance index (p=0.001), inflammatory indices of interleukin-6 (p=0.001), C-reactive protein (p=0.023) and apelin (p=0.001) and significantly increase maximal oxygen consumption (p=0.002) and one repetition maximum (p=0.001). Conclusion: Generally, it seems that decreasing body fat, improving insulin resistance and inflammatory indices following 12 weeks of concurrent training has been effective in reducing aplein levels.