Impacts of Resistance Training on Acute Secretion of Irisin in Obese Older and Young Adults

Background: Worldwide, the number of individuals living with obesity has doubled over the past thirty years. The growing prevalence of obesity is concerning as obesity is known to be one of the main risk factors for many chronic conditions, such as Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, it is important that the impact of different types of exercise are understood to properly prescribe exercise interventions to individuals living with obesity. Recently, there has been increased interest for a biologically active substances that are secreted during muscle contraction, myokines, regarding their effects on metabolism during exercise. Specifically, a novel myokine, named irisin, has caught the attention of numerous researchers. Irisin has been shown to play an important role in increasing energy expenditure, reducing body weight, and improving glucose metabolism by adipocyte metabolism. As of now, the majority of research has focused on irisin release during endurance activity; however, there is limited research on irisin secretion during resistance exercise training.

Statement of Objectives: The purpose of this pilot study is to first determine whether irisin secretion increases during an acute session of resistance exercise training with obese individuals; and second, to determine whether changes in irisin levels during an acute bout of resistance exercise training can be seen in different age groups for obese individuals.

Methodology: Fifteen young and fifteen old participants will be recruited via advertisement in the local newspaper, on radio stations, and on posters. Inclusion criteria include individuals aged between either 18-30 or 65-75 years old, classified as obese according to their BMI (>30 kg/m2), inactive defined as engaging in less than 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise, not currently engaged in a resistance exercise training program, no previous diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, and having no injuries or conditions that would prevent them from performing a resistance exercise training session.

Primary Outcome Measure: The primary outcome measure in this study will be the change in irisin levels during resistance exercise training. A validated enzyme immunoassay kit from Phoenix Pharmaceutical Inc. (EK-067-16) will be used to measure irisin. Our group already has experience with this equipment and these procedures, which has been validated.

Resistance Exercise Session: Participants will come for their first visit at which time they they will perform a test to determine their maximal strength [1-repetition maximal (1-RM)] for each exercise included in the program. During their second visit, participants will perform 10 different resistance exercises consisting of three sets of 8-10 repetitions, at 80% of 1-RM. A 60-second rest will occur between sets. This exercise protocol was selected based on literature that suggests that the protocol and the intensity do not enhance mitochondria biogenesis. Also, this protocol was shown to be well tolerated by obese and older individuals.