A comparison of 8-week-resistance and endurance exercise programs on levels of plasma apelin and blood pressure in obese postmenopausal women

Background: Studies show that apelin vasodilator peptide plays an important role in vascular tone and cardiovascular function, but the effect of resistance training and comparison of resistance and endurance training on plasma apelin has not been well documented. Aim: The purpose of the study was to compare the effects of eight weeks of resistance and endurance exercise programs on levels of plasma apelin and blood pressure in obese postmenopausal women Material and Methods: The present study was 24 postmenopausal women obese (age: 55.5 ± 5.63 y, height: 154.31 ± 4.69 cm, weight: 72.65 ± 11. 44 kg, and BMI: 30.62 ± 3.63) were randomly divided into two groups of 12 people (endurance and resistance) groups (resistance training with 60 to 80% 1RM, and endurance training with 55 to 70% of heart rate Karvonen). Apelin plasma levels and blood pressure 24 h before and 48 h after the end of the program were measured. Data were analyzed using repeated measures. The significance level was P 0.05. Results: The results showed that changes in intragroup and intergroup blood pressure decreased significantly and plasma apelin increased in both groups, but this increase was not significant (P 0.05). Conclusion: Following eight- week resistance training and endurance training reduces blood pressure in postmenopausal obese women and were significantly associated with increased plasma Apelin but not as significant.