Comparison of the Effects of Resistance Exercise Orders on Number of Repetitions, Serum IGF-1, Testosterone and Cortisol Levels in Normal-Weight and Obese Men

Comparison of the Effects of Resistance Exercise Orders on Number of Repetitions, Serum IGF-1, Testosterone and Cortisol Levels in Normal-Weight and Obese Men

 Dariush Sheikholeslami-Vatani 1 ; Slahadin Ahmadi 2, 3, * ; and Rashad Salavati 1
۱ Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, IR Iran
۲ Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, IR Iran
۳ Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, IR Iran

Asian Journal of Sports Medicine

Background: Exercise order affects repetition performance and acute hormonal responses to resistance training (RT) programs.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the acute effects of two different resistance exercise orders (REO) on number of repetitions and serum Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1), testosterone and cortisol levels in normal-weight and obese men.

Materials and Methods: 25 untrained college-aged men were assigned to either obese (n = 11) or normal-weight (n = 15) groups. Subjects performed two REO protocols in 2 exercise groups. In the first group subjects began with large-muscle group and progressed to small-muscle group (Protocol A), while in the other group subjects performed the same exercise but in reverse sequence (Protocol B). Each activity was performed in 3 consecutive sets of 10 repetitions maximum to near fatigue.

Results: REOs did not affect number of repetitions in none of the groups. The average rating of perceived exertion was higher for protocol B in both groups. IGF-1 and testosterone increased immediately post exercise for both protocols and in both groups, however immediately post exercise increase in IGF-1 and testosterone were lower in obese group. Cortisol response to REO was weaker in obese group.

Conclusions: Performing large muscle group exercises first in RE training and progressing to small muscle group produced greater anabolic hormonal response relative to reverse sequence in normal-weight young adult men. Anabolic hormonal response to REOs was blunted in the obese group.

Keywords: Acute Exercise; Hormone Responses in Exercise; Strength Training; Obese

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