A research on the effects of an 8-week zumba and step-aerobics exercise on serum leptin and serum ghrelin hormones in women

This study aims to elaborate in general the relation of an 8-week zumba and step-aerobics exercise with the hormones serum leptin, serum ghrelin, body weight, body fat index, body mass index and skinfold thickness. In particular, its aim is the relation of the hormones serum leptin and serum ghrelin with body weight, body fat index, body mass index, skinfold thickness and basal metabolism. The quasi-experimental design, which is used in qualitative and quantitative researches, was implemented for this study. The treatment group consisted of 26 non-smoker women whose average age is between 41,40 ± 9,90. These women do not exercise regularly and live a sedentary life. The treatment group had an 8-week zumba and step-aerobics exercise programme with different choreographies based on a 2-hour study every three days a week. Blood samples were taken in order to detect serum leptin and serum ghrelin levels and anthropometric measurements (body weight, body height, body mass index, body fat index, skinfold thickness, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, resting pulse) were done on the participants. Both tests were done prior to the experiment, on the fourth week of the experiment and at the end of the experiment. All tests were done during morning hours, during which participants had been hungry for about 8 to 10 hours. Data from these tests were transferred to a computer. For the analysis process, SPSS 20 packaged software was used. The analysis process showed that the data has a normal distribution. During the analysis process, ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) and the correlation test were implemented. The significance level of the data was evaluated as p<0,05. Although there had been a fall in the serum leptin and serum ghrelin levels of the participants, it is understood that this result was not statistically meaningful (p>0.05). Body components of the sedentary women were examined and a fall in the level of body weight, body fat index, body mass index, resting pulse and skinfold thickness has been identified (p<0,05). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure variants did not yield any statistically significant difference (p>0.05). Moreover, when leptin and ghrelin values in body components were examined, it was found out that there has been a negative correlation between ghrelin and body weight, body fat index and body mass index while between other variants (leptin, body weight, body mass index, body fat index, basal metabolic rate) it was seen that there is no significant relation between aforementioned elements. As a result, it has been found out that regular zumba and step aerobics exercises have lowered the body weight, body fat index, body mass index, skinfold thickness and resting pulse of sedentary women. In addition, while statistically insignificant, it has been understood that it also lowered serum leptin and ghrelin levels. On the other hand, it is also understood that these exercises did not have any effect on systolic and diastolic blood pressures whatsoever. Key Words Exercise, woman, leptin, ghrelin, body mass index