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The effect of three-month pre-season preparatory period and short-term exercise on plasma leptin, adiponectin, visfatin, and ghrelin levels in young female handball and basketball players

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Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of a 3-month pre-season preparatory period and short-term moderate aerobic exercise and intensive fitness and speed exercise on adipokine and ghrelin levels in young female handball and basketball players. Materials and methods: Fifty healthy young female professional basketball and handball players were enrolled into the study before the opening of the season (after a 2-month holiday with no training or dietary restrictions). Serum estradiol and plasma leptin, adiponectin, visfatin, and ghrelin levels were determined at the beginning and the end of a 3-month period of moderate aerobic training. Plasma adipokines and ghrelin levels were additionally assessed after 2 h of moderate aerobic exercise or after intensive fitness and speed exercise training. Results: Long-term moderate aerobic exercise was followed by a significant decrease in plasma ghrelin and leptin levels (921 ±300 vs 575±572 pg/ml. p<0.001 and 16.4±15.6 vs 11.8±16.3 ng/ml, p<0.01, respectively); plasma adiponectin and visfatin remained unchanged. No changes were observed in plasma ghrelin and leptin levels after short-term moderate aerobic exercise or after intensive fitness and speed exercise. Plasma visfatin concentration increased significantly after short-term moderate aerobic exercise (22.1 ±8.7 vs 27.6±9.0 ng/ml, p<0.001), whilst adiponectin increased after intensive fitness and speed exercise (16.7±7.8 vs 21.0±9.8 µg/ml, p<0.001). Conclusions: Regular moderate aerobic training in preparation for the match season is followed by a decline in circulating leptin and ghrelin levels even in athletes without body weight changes. Short-term intensive fitness and moderate aerobic exercise seem to modulate the production of different adipokines.

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Correspondence to A. Drosdzol-Cop MD, PhD.

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Plinta, R., Olszanecka-Glinianowicz, M., Drosdzol-Cop, A. et al. The effect of three-month pre-season preparatory period and short-term exercise on plasma leptin, adiponectin, visfatin, and ghrelin levels in young female handball and basketball players. J Endocrinol Invest 35, 595–601 (2012). https://doi.org/10.3275/8014

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