The Impact of Stationary Combined Exercise on Adiponectin and Hs-CRP Levels in Overweight Women

Summary

This study looked at whether a specific exercise program can improve inflammatory markers in overweight young women. We tested an eight-week, circuit-style exercise program that combines aerobic and resistance activities (e.g., sit-ups, step jumps, push-ups, jump rope, jumping jacks, medicine-ball lifts). Participants exercised four times per week at a moderate-to-high intensity, with a warm-up and cool-down at each session.

Twenty-two women (ages 20-30 years; BMI 25-31 kg/m²) were randomly assigned to one of two groups: (1) the exercise group completed the training program; (2) the control group continued usual daily activities without a structured program. Before starting and 48 hours after finishing the program, we took fasting blood samples to measure two markers: adiponectin (a hormone made by fat tissue that supports healthy metabolism and has anti-inflammatory effects) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (a blood marker of inflammation and cardiovascular risk).

The main outcomes were the changes in adiponectin and hs-CRP from before to after the 8-week period. We also recorded weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, and fitness (VO₂max). The study was conducted at the Exercise Physiology Laboratory, College of Physical Education and Health, Chongqing College of International Business and Economics (Chongqing, China). The research ethics committee approved the protocol, and all participants provided written informed consent.

Recruitment and data collection are complete. Findings suggest that this circuit-based exercise program can increase adiponectin and lower hs-CRP, alongside improvements in body composition, in overweight young women.

Conditions

• Overweight
• Obesity
• Inflammation, Low-Grade
• Cardiovascular Diseases, Risk Factors

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Combined Exercise Group

Participants completed an eight-week circuit-based combined exercise program, four sessions per week, at an intensity of 70-90% of maximum heart rate. Each session began with a 10-15 minute warm-up (stretching and light jogging) and ended with a 5-10 minute cool-down (walking and stretching). The main exercise protocol included six stations (sit-ups, step jumps, push-ups, jump rope, jumping jacks, and medicine ball lifting), performed in three rounds. The duration at each station progressively increased from 60 seconds (weeks 1-2) to 150 seconds (weeks 7-8), with rest intervals of 30-50 seconds between stations and 3-5 minutes between rounds. Exercise intensity was monitored with a Polar heart rate monitor to ensure participants stayed within the target zone.

BEHAVIORAL

No Structured Exercise

Participants in the control group will not receive any structured exercise program during the eight-week study period. They will be instructed to maintain their usual daily routines and refrain from initiating any new organized exercise or training programs beyond their routine physical education classes and everyday activities.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Xianjie Zheng

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

20 Years

Max Age

30 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-01-20

Primary Completion

2024-04-10

Completion

2024-04-10

Countries

• China

Study Locations