Abstract
Purpose: To investigate the effect of six (6) weeks physical and flexibility exercise on fasting blood sugar and some hormones in selected young adult Nigerian students. Methods: A total of 16 subjects (ten males and six females) participated in the study which involved physical and flexibility exercise. Assays for hormones, including follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin, progesterone, estradiol, testosterone and insulin in the subjects were carried out. Homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), as well as fasting blood sugar (FBS) were determined in the pre- and post-exercise blood plasma of each participant. Results: There was a non-significant (p ˃ 0.05) decrease in the post-exercise plasma levels of prolactin, estradiol, insulin, and HOMA-IR, while testosterone levels increased non-significantly (p ˃ 0.05) in both sexes. Progesterone levels increased in male participants and decreased in female participants post-exercise, although both changes were insignificant (p ˃ 0.05). The reverse was noticed for plasma FSH which decreased in male and increased in female participants post-exercise; also, both changes were insignificant (p ˃ 0.05). The plasma levels of LH decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in males and insignificantly in females (p ˃ 0.05). However, FBS showed significant (p < 0.05) postexercise increase in males, but the increase was non-significant (p ˃ 0.05) in female participants. Conclusion: Physical and flexibility exercise programme alters the physiological levels of hormones and fasting blood sugar in some apparently healthy young Nigerian adult students who are not regular exercisers. Keywords: Physical exercise, Hormones, Fasting blood sugar, Homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance
Highlights
Exercise has profound effects on the function of a number of glands and their corresponding impact on a number of systems through the release of specific hormones [1]
Results of the effect of six (6) weeks physical and flexibility exercise on plasma levels of hormones and fasting blood sugar of male and female participants are shown in the Figures
Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) are both gonadotrophic hormones released by the hypothalamus of the brain and responsible for controlling gonadal function in both sexes
Summary
Exercise has profound effects on the function of a number of glands and their corresponding impact on a number of systems through the release of specific hormones [1]. The effects of exercise on these hormones tend to result in either an increase or a decrease in their blood concentrations Other factors such as type of exercise, intensity of exercise, lifestyle, diet, etc., tend to influence the direct impact of exercise on hormones and other biomolecules including fasting blood sugar [2]. The effect of these hormones may persist after physical activity. Glucose in the blood stream is maintained in a seeming equilibrium between its rate of clearance and appearance. The availability of blood glucose is determined by breakdown of hepatic glycogen store and from digestion processes in the gut [5]
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