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

NCT07230873 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: College of Physical EducationK2016038
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 22
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief 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

Keywords

Adiponectin; inflammation; combined station training; hs-CRP

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Serum Adiponectin Concentration

  Serum adiponectin (µg/mL) quantified by ELISA in the fasting state; difference from baseline to 48 hours after completion of the 8-week exercise program.

  Baseline and 48 hours post-intervention (end of week 8).

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Serum Adiponectin Concentration

  Baseline and 48 hours post-intervention (end of week 8).

Study Arms (2)

Combined Exercise Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Arm 1 reflects the circuit-based combined exercise intervention.

Behavioral: Combined Exercise Group

Control Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Arm 2 reflects the no structured exercise condition.

Behavioral: No Structured Exercise

Interventions

Combined Exercise Group BEHAVIORAL

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.

Also known as: High-Intensity Circuit-Based Combined Exercise, Combined Stationary Exercise, SCEX Program (Stationary Combined Exercise)

Combined Exercise Group

No Structured Exercise BEHAVIORAL

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.

Also known as: Usual Activity, No Exercise Program

Control Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Female sex Age 20 to 30 years BMI 25 to 31 kg/m² Body weight 63 to 87 kg Generally healthy, without diagnosed chronic illness Willing and able to provide written informed consent Willing to refrain from vigorous physical activity for 48 hours before blood sampling Able to attend 4 supervised training sessions per week for 8 weeks (if assigned to intervention)

You may not qualify if:

• History of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, or diabetes Current smoking or tobacco use Current use of medications or supplements that affect metabolism or inflammatory markers Pregnancy or breastfeeding Contraindications to moderate-to-high intensity exercise on screening Participation in regular vigorous exercise training within the past 6 months Inability or unwillingness to comply with study procedures (e.g., missing \>2 consecutive training sessions)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Xianjie Zheng: lead

Study Sites (1)

College of Physical Education and Health

Chongqing, China

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Overweight; Obesity; Inflammation; Cardiovascular Diseases

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Overnutrition; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases; Body Weight; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Pathologic Processes

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: College of Physical Education and Health

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 13, 2025
• First Posted: November 17, 2025
• Study Start: January 20, 2024
• Primary Completion: April 10, 2024
• Study Completion: April 10, 2024
• Last Updated: November 19, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CN (1)