the effect of high-intensity interval training on follistatin, irisin plasma levels and lipid profile in overweight and obese women

Purpose: the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of high-intensity interval training on serum levels of irisin, follistatin, and metabolic status of overweight and obese women. methods: the current research was a semi-experimental type with a pre and post-test design. 30 women with an average age of 22.9±2.11 years, weight 82.45±6.1 kg, bmi above 28 kg/m2) voluntarily participated and they were randomly divided into two groups of 15 people including hiit (4 bouts of 60 seconds of running at an intensity of 80-90% hrmax with a 4-minute rest in the first four weeks) and control (did not have a regular exercise program). blood samples were taken 24 hours before the start of the training period and 48 hours after the end of the last session, to measure irisin, follistatin, and metabolic status, by elisa method. then, an independent t-test was used to examine changes between groups, and a correlated t-test was used for intragroup comparison. data analysis was done by spss version 25 software at a significance level of 0.05. results: after 8 weeks of intervention, the hiit group showed that hiit exercises led to a significant increase in irisin(p=0.25) and follistatin(p=0.12), triglyceride (p=0.30), and total cholesterol levels. (p=0.41), ldl (p=0.14), vldl (p=0.17), weight (p=0.31), fat percentage (p =0.21)) and bmi (p=0.251); and there was a significant increase in maximum oxygen consumption (p=0.11). however, no significant change was observed in the amount of hdl (p=0.55). conclusion: according to the findings of the present study, in order to maintain or prevent the decrease in bone density of postmenopausal women, resistance exercises can be recommended.