Background: The scientific evidence shows that the levels of adiponectin and resistin respectively had negative and positive correlation with the obesity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of continuous aerobic exercise and periodized resistance exercise on plasma levels of adiponectin and resistin among sedentary obese adolescents.

Materials and methods: In this study, 24 subjects were divided into three groups: resistance training group [n=8; age 15.92±1.56y; body mass index (BMI) 32.30±2.21 kg/m²], aerobic exercise group (n=8; age 15.23±2.03y; BMI 31.32±1.32 kg/m²) and control group (n=8; age 14.97±1.92y; BMI 30.80±3.12 kg/m²). The program of aerobic exercise group included walking and running up to 60% oxygen consumption for four sessions per week, while this performed in the resistance training group for three sessions per week (12 weeks). The plasma levels of adiponectin and resistin were measured using an ELISA kit. All data were analyzed using ANOVA test.

Results: The study findings showed that resistance training reduced body fat percentage by 7.18% (p<0.001) and increased plasma adiponectin levels by 6.84% (p=0.03). Aerobic exercise increased maximum oxygen consumption and plasma adiponectin by 11.8% (p=0.04) and 12.34% (p<0.001), respectively; while it reduced weight and body fat percentage by 2.18% (p=0.03) and 7.31% (p=0.02), respectively. It should be noted that fat percentage changes were different in both training groups (p=0.09), but no significant changes were observed in plasma levels of resistin (p=0.127).

Conclusion: In summary, 12 weeks of aerobic and resistance training increased the plasma levels of adiponectin, whereas the plasma levels of resistin had no changes.