Leptin and adiponectin responses in overweight inactive elderly following resistance training and detraining are intensity related

Context: Adiponectin and leptin are closely related to weight control and energy balance, whereas exercise affects elderly metabolic regulation and functional capacity. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate leptin and adiponectin responses in elderly males after exercise training and detraining. Design: The study design was a 1- yr randomized controlled trial. Setting: The study was performed at the Laboratory of Physical Education and Sport Science Department. Participants: Fifty inactive men [ age, 65 - 78 yr; body mass index ( BMI), 28.7 - 30.2 kg/ m(2)] were recruited from a volunteer database by word of mouth and fliers sent to medical practitioners, physiotherapists, and nursing homes in the local community. Intervention( s): Participants were randomly assigned to a control ( n = 10), low- intensity ( n = 14), moderate- intensity ( n = 12), or high- intensity training ( HI; n = 14) group. Resistance training ( 6 months, 3 d/ wk, 10 exercises/ three sets) was followed by 6 months of detraining. Main Outcome Measure( s): Strength, exercise energy cost, skinfold sum, body weight, maximal oxygen consumption, resting metabolic rate ( RMR), and plasma leptin and adiponectin were determined at baseline and after training and detraining. Results: Strength, maximal oxygen consumption, RMR, and exercise energy cost increased ( P < 0.05) after training in an intensity-dependent manner. Skinfold sum and BMI were reduced by resistance training ( P < 0.05), with HI being more effective ( P < 0.05) than moderate- intensity/ low- intensity training. Leptin was diminished ( P < 0.05) by all treatments, whereas adiponectin increased ( P < 0.05) only in HI. Detraining maintained training- induced changes only in HI. The percent leptin decrease was associated ( P < 0.05) with the percent BMI decrease and the percent RMR increase, whereas the percent adiponectin increase was associated ( P < 0.05) with the percent BMI decrease. Conclusions: Resistance training and detraining may alter leptin and adiponectin responses in an intensity- dependent manner. Leptin and adiponectin changes were strongly associated with RMR and anthropometric changes.