The Effect of Weekly Aerobic Interval Training Frequency on Fasting Serum Asprosin Levels and Insulin Resistance in Men with Metabolic Syndrome

Naghousi, Aziz; Sajadian, Mohammad; Zilaei Bouri, Shirin; Nouri, Reza; Rahmani Ghobadi, Maria

doi:10.22118/jsmj.2025.542998.3974

The Effect of Weekly Aerobic Interval Training Frequency on Fasting Serum Asprosin Levels and Insulin Resistance in Men with Metabolic Syndrome

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Aziz Naghousi ¹

Mohammad Sajadian ²

Shirin Zilaei Bouri ³

Reza Nouri ⁴

Maria Rahmani Ghobadi ⁵

¹ Department of physiology

² Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Sho.C., Islamic Azad University, Shoushtar, Iran

³ Department of Sport Sciences, MaS.C., Islamic Azad University, MasjedSoleiman, Iran

⁴ Department of sport Sciences, Kish International Campus, University of Tehran Kish, Iran

⁵ Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Dam.C., Islamic Azad University, Damavand, Iran

10.22118/jsmj.2025.542998.3974

Abstract

Background and Aim: Training session frequency is a key variable in exercise program design, capable of influencing metabolic adaptations and physiological responses to exercise. This study aimed to examine the effect of weekly training frequency on fasting serum asprosin levels and insulin resistance in men with metabolic syndrome.
Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 45 men with metabolic syndrome were randomly assigned to three groups: aerobic interval training three times per week, aerobic interval training six times per week, and a control group. Weekly training volume was matched between the two intervention groups, and exercise intensity was progressively adjusted. Fasting serum asprosin levels were measured using ELISA, and insulin resistance was assessed via the HOMA-IR index before and after the intervention. Statistical analysis was performed using ANCOVA.
Results: Both training groups showed a significant reduction in insulin resistance and serum asprosin levels compared to the control group (P<0.01). The reduction in insulin resistance was significantly greater in the six-sessions-per-week group compared to the three-sessions-per-week group (P=0.016), while no significant difference in serum asprosin reduction was observed between the two training groups (P=0.847).
Conclusion: Regular aerobic interval training, especially at higher frequencies, can improve insulin sensitivity and modulate metabolic pathways associated with asprosin. These findings suggest that adjusting training frequency may serve as a novel non-pharmacological approach to managing metabolic syndrome.

Keywords

Metabolic syndrome

Training frequency

Asprosin

Insulin resistance

Subjects