Paradoxical Advantage of Middle Aged Sedentary over Young Sedentary on Starting Exercise in Terms of GH/IGF-1 System

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the submaximal running exercise on the GH/IGF-1 axis in the middle aged sedentary nonobese and preobese males. 24 healthy volunteer males were divided into 2 groups and then 2 subgroups according to their age ranges (20-25 and 35-43) and Body Mass Indexes (BMI) (nonobese- NO and preobese- PO) respectively. All subjects underwent a submaximal running exercise for 30 minutes a day/ 4 days a week and for a period of 6 weeks. Serum GH, IGF-1, IGFBP-3, and insulin levels were measured in all subjects before and after the exercise program. IGFBP-3 levels were found to be statistically decreased in the PO middle aged and NO young groups whereas IGF-1 levels were statistically increased in NO young group after the exercise treatment. Surprisingly PO and NO middle aged groups’ Insulin and GH responses against exercise were quite opposite of those observed in young groups. In the light of the findings, it could be suggested that the middle aged group’s response against exercise on the base of GH/IGF-1 system was more effective than the young group, was found to be quite interesting.