Which training model has the best effect on adipo-myokines in men with obesity?

Obesity is associated with an exacerbated metabolic condition related to impaired secretion of adipo-myokines. This study aims to investigate the compare the effect of 12 weeks of continuous aerobic, Tabata, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on the levels of adipo-myokines in obese men. Forty-four obese men were randomly assigned to four groups: control (CG), endurance aerobic training (ET), Tabata (Tabata), and HIIT groups. All exercise training groups performed three sessions of ET, Tabata, and HIIT per week for 12 weeks. Each session lasted 60 minutes, including 10 minutes of warm-up, 40 minutes of main training for each group, and a 10-minute cool-down period. Plasma dermatopontin, decorin, follistatin, TGF-β, and myostatin levels were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks. One-way analysis of variance with repeated measures was used for interactive and between-group changes. The results showed that the interaction effect of the time × group was statistically significant for the weight (p = 0.011), BMI (p = 0.009), BFP (p = 0.001), plasma dermatopontin (p = 0.014), decorin (p = 0.001), follistatin (p = 0.001), TGF-β (p = 0.001), and myostatin (p = 0.001). Plasma dermatopontin, TGF-β, and myostatin levels in Tabata and HIIT groups showed a significant decrease in ET, Tabata, and HIIT groups. However, the levels of decorin and follistatin increase in the ET, Tabata, and HIIT groups. Twelve weeks of various exercise training led to decreases in weight, BMI, percentage fat, TGF-β, dermatopontin, and myostatin and increases in decorin and follistatin in obese men. That improvement was greater in the Tabata and HIIT groups.