The influence of concurrent training intensity on serum irisin and abdominal fat in postmenopausal women

INTRODUCTION: Menopause seems to be among the factors related to the development of prediabetes and central obesity. Conversely, physical activity may have a major role in reducing metabolic syndrome in women of postmenopausal age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-eight postmenopausal active and sedentary women within the ages of 45-65 years were randomized to four groups: 1) high-intensity concurrent interval exercise (HCI; n = 15), 2) moderate-intensity continuous concurrent exercise (MCC; n = 14), 3) control daily active (CDA; n = 10), and 4) control sedentary (COS; n = 9). The subjects in the preceding training groups exercised three times per week for 50-65 min/session with high/moderate concurrent exercise for 10 weeks. The levels of serum irisin, insulin sensitivity, abdominal fat distribution (visceral and subcutaneous), and total abdominal fat were measured at baseline and post-test. RESULTS: This study showed that the HCI group had a significantly increased serum irisin (p< 0.001), stimulated favorable alterations in insulin sensitivity status (p = 0.003), and significantly decreased subcutaneous, visceral and, total abdominal fat (p< 0.001). Also, the insulin sensitivity status was significantly increased (p = 0.01) and subcutaneous abdominal fat significantly decreased in the MCC group (p = 0.018). However, this study’s results did not find a considerable correlation between insulin sensitivity, irisin level, weight loss and abdominal fat distribution. CONCLUSIONS: High-intensity concurrent exercise has a greater influence on improving most metabolic-related parameters than moderate-intensity concurrent exercise.