comparison of the effects of resistance exercise orders on number of repetitions, serum igf-1, testosterone and cortisol levels in normal-weight and obese men

Background: exercise order affects repetition performance and acute hormonal responses to resistance training (rt) programs. objectives: the purpose of this study was to compare the acute effects of two different resistance exercise orders (reo) on number of repetitions and serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (igf-1), testosterone and cortisol levels in normal-weight and obese men. materials and methods: 25 untrained college-aged men were assigned to either obese (n = 11) or normal-weight (n = 15) groups. subjects performed two reo protocols in 2 exercise groups. in the first group subjects began with large-muscle group and progressed to small-muscle group (protocol a), while in the other group subjects performed the same exercise but in reverse sequence (protocol b). each activity was performed in 3 consecutive sets of 10 repetitions maximum to near fatigue. results: reos did not affect number of repetitions in none of the groups. the average rating of perceived exertion was higher for protocol b in both groups. igf-1 and testosterone increased immediately post exercise for both protocols and in both groups, however immediately post exercise increase in igf-1 and testosterone were lower in obese group. cortisol response to reo was weaker in obese group. conclusions: performing large muscle group exercises first in re training and progressing to small muscle group produced greater anabolic hormonal response relative to reverse sequence in normal-weight young adult men. anabolic hormonal response to reos was blunted in the obese group.