Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the effects of 8 weeks of basketball training on apelin, leptin, irisin, ghrelin, insulin, glucose, and blood lipids among basketball players.
Methods: The exercise groups were given 2 h of basketball training for 5 d a week and for 8 weeks. The control group was randomly selected among the adolescents who did not regularly exercise.
Results: The apelin and ghrelin levels significantly increased; however, leptin, irisin, and insulin levels statistically decreased in the post-exercise group compared to the other groups (p < .05). The results suggest low levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) parameters (p < .05).
Conclusions: This study demonstrated that after 8 weeks of chronic exercise training, apelin and ghrelin levels increased; in contrast, leptin, irisin, and insulin levels decreased. The decrease in leptin and irisin levels is compatible with the pattern of decrease in the lipid levels as a result of chronic exercise.
Keywords: Apelin; exercise; ghrelin; glucose; insulin; irisin; leptin; lipid parameters.