Combined Training (Strength and Endurance) and the Serum Levels of Myostatin and Hormone-sensitive Lipase in Overweight and Obese Men

NCT07658261 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: IR.UT.SPORT.REC.1403.064
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 36
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of upper body-based and lower body-based combined training on serum levels of myostatin (MSTN) and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) in overweight and obese men. Myostatin is a myokine involved in the regulation of skeletal muscle growth and adipose tissue metabolism, while HSL is a key enzyme involved in lipolysis and fat mobilization. Thirty-six overweight and obese men were assigned to either an upper body combined training group, a lower body combined training group, or a non-exercising control group. The intervention consisted of 10 weeks of combined resistance and aerobic training performed three times per week. Serum levels of MSTN and HSL were measured before and after the intervention to determine whether upper body-focused and lower body-focused combined training produce different effects on markers associated with muscle growth and lipid metabolism.

Conditions

Overweight (BMI > 25); Obesity (BMI>30)

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Change in serum myostatin (MSTN) concentration

  Serum myostatin concentration measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The outcome was assessed before the intervention and 48 hours after completion of the 10-week training program.

  Baseline and 10 weeks

• Change in serum hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) concentration

  Serum hormone-sensitive lipase concentration measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The outcome was assessed before the intervention and 48 hours after completion of the 10-week training program.

  Baseline and 10 weeks

Study Arms (3)

Upper Body Combined Training

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants completed a 10-week upper body-focused combined training program three times per week. Each session consisted of upper body resistance exercises followed by aerobic exercise performed on a hand ergometer. Resistance training included chest press, rowing machine, biceps curl, triceps extension, shoulder press, and abdominal exercises.

Behavioral: Upper Body Combined Training

Lower Body Combined Training

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants completed a 10-week lower body-focused combined training program three times per week. Each session consisted of lower body resistance exercises followed by aerobic exercise performed on a leg ergometer. Resistance training included leg press, leg extension, leg flexion, leg abduction, leg adduction, and calf raise exercises.

Behavioral: Lower Body Combined Training

Control

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in the control group did not participate in the exercise intervention and were instructed to maintain their usual daily activities throughout the 10-week study period.

Interventions

Upper Body Combined Training BEHAVIORAL

Participants completed a 10-week upper body-focused combined training program performed three times per week. Each session included six upper body resistance exercises (chest press, rowing machine, biceps curl, triceps extension, shoulder press, and abdominal machine exercises) followed by aerobic exercise on a hand ergometer. Resistance training was performed for 3 sets during the first 5 weeks and 4 sets during weeks 6-10, with 8-12 repetitions per set. Aerobic exercise began at 20 minutes and increased by 1 minute each week, reaching 29 minutes in the final week. Exercise intensity was maintained at approximately 57-66% of maximum heart rate during aerobic training.

Also known as: Upper Body Resistance and Aerobic Training

Upper Body Combined Training

Lower Body Combined Training BEHAVIORAL

Participants completed a 10-week lower body-focused combined training program performed three times per week. Each session included six lower body resistance exercises (leg press, leg extension, leg flexion, leg abduction, leg adduction, and calf raise exercises) followed by aerobic exercise on a leg ergometer. Resistance training was performed for 3 sets during the first 5 weeks and 4 sets during weeks 6-10, with 8-12 repetitions per set. Aerobic exercise began at 20 minutes and increased by 1 minute each week, reaching 29 minutes in the final week. Exercise intensity was maintained at approximately 57-66% of maximum heart rate during aerobic training.

Also known as: Lower Body Resistance and Aerobic Training

Lower Body Combined Training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 45 Years
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Male participants aged 20 to 45 years.
• Body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m².
• Overweight or obese status.
• No participation in regular resistance or aerobic exercise during the previous 6 months.
• Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of metabolic diseases, including diabetes mellitus.
• Presence of cardiovascular or respiratory diseases.
• Musculoskeletal or joint injuries that could interfere with exercise participation.
• Use of anti-obesity medications.
• Use of anabolic steroids, sports supplements, or fat-burning supplements.
• Regular alcohol consumption or tobacco use.
• Absence from more than two training sessions during the intervention period.
• Withdrawal of consent or unwillingness to continue participation.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Arya Habibi: lead

Study Sites (1)

Faculty of Sports and Health Sciences of the University of Tehran

Tehran, Tehran Province, Iran

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Overweight; Obesity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: No masking was used in this study. Participants, investigators, and study personnel were aware of group assignments due to the nature of the exercise interventions.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Model Details: Participants were randomly assigned to one of three parallel groups: an upper body combined training group, a lower body combined training group, or a non-exercising control group. Each intervention group completed a 10-week training program consisting of resistance and aerobic exercise performed three times per week, while the control group maintained their usual lifestyle habits.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 14, 2026
• First Posted: June 18, 2026
• Study Start: May 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: May 1, 2024
• Study Completion: December 15, 2024
• Last Updated: June 23, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

IR (1)