Background and Aim: Adiponectin is an important protective factor in pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease and it has been reported that testosterone has a potential anti-diabetic role in men. Furthermore, cortisol is an anti-stress catabolic hormone. The purpose of this study was to survey effect of strength training on serum levels of adiponectin, testosterone, and cortisol in sedentary lean men. Materials and Methods: In a semi-experimental study, sedentary lean men were randomly placed at two groups: strength training and control. Strength training protocol consisted of twelve weeks weight training (3 sessions per week, 10 stations, 3 sets 8-12 repetitions in each station, intensity 60-80% of one repetition maximum, rest between sets 1 min and between stations 2 min, duration of main training 20-40 min per each session). Data analyzed by SPSS16 software. Independent- and paired-samples T tests were used for analyzing data. Statistical significance was accepted at P<0.05. Results: In training group (n=9, 20.9±3.6 yr, 60.1 ± 4.3 kg, 18.7±2.2 %, 18.4±2.1 kg/m2), body weight, body mass index and maximal oxygen uptake were increased (P=0.020, P=0.011, P=0.042, respectively), whereas no significant change in body fat percent was observed (P=0.244). Also, strength training had no significant effect on serum adiponectin (14.1±1.9 vs. 13.7±2.5 µg/ml) and cortisol (166.4±45.3 vs. 159.2±51.6 ng/ml) concentrations (p=0.278 and p=0.377, respectively), but serum testosterone concentration (6.9±1.7 vs. 8.1±1.9 ng/ml) was increased (p=0.025). While in control group (n=10, 21.5±3.2 yr, 61.5±4.2 kg, 19.5±2.7 %, 18.4±2.3 kg/m2), none of measured variables showed significant changes (P>0.05). Conclusion: Performing a period of strength training can improve body weight, body mass index, and cardio respiratory function of sedentary lean men, while it results in no significant change in body fat percent. Also, since testosterone has anti-diabetic role, strength training can be useful through increasing testosterone levels in sedentary lean men. It doesn’t appear that twelve weeks strength training has effect on circulating levels of adiponectin and cortisol in sedentary lean men.

Keywords: Strength Training, Adiponectin, Testosterone, Cortisol, Lean, Sedentary

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