The Response of Plasma Leptin and Some Selected Hormones to One Session of Progressive Running in Non-athlete Males

Document Type : Original Article

Abstract

Introduction: Leptin, a protein with a cytokine-like helical structure and molecular weight of 16 KDa, 
regulates the body weight and homeostasis of the energy in the body. The aim of this study was to investigate 
the response of plasma leptin and some of selected hormones to one session of progressive running in nonathlete males.
Material and Methods: Twenty three male (age 19.58 ± 2.12 yr, BMI 21.63 ± 2.7 kg/m2 and weight 64.86 ±
6.46 kg) performed a session of exhausting session running at 60-85% maximal heart rate. Blood samples were 
taken before and immediately after exhausting exercise to measure of plasma leptin, insulin, cortisol, lactate 
and glucose. 
Results: results of this study indicated that one progressive running session decreased plasma leptin but this 
decrease was not significant (P=0/42). Also there was a significant decrease in plasma insulin (P=0/009) and 
glucose (P=0/03) but no significant decrease was observed in cortisol levels. But significant increase was 
observed in lactate concentration (P=0/0001).
Discussion and Conclusion: We have concluded that, lack of a significant decrease in leptin concentrations
were due to low energy expenditure during of acute exercise. The result of this study and other research 
suggest that for the leptin concentration to decrease, exercise must be at least as long as than 60 minutes with 
an energy expenditure of about 800 kcal in non- athletes

Keywords

• Progressive running
• Leptin
• insulin
• Cortisol
• Non-athletes

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