Background & aim: In obesity, adipokines is secreted from adipose tissue induced inflammation, causing adverse effects. Among the wide range of adipokines, aplein has been considered by researchers due to association with body composition indices such as fat percentage, inflammatory markers and insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of concurrent training (endurance and strength) on apelin, interleukin-6, C-reactive protein levels in middle-aged sedentary obese men.

Methods: In this present quasi-experimental study, 30 men, aged between 48 to 60 years, with mean height of 174.43±7.51 cm, mean weight of 93/53±5.26 kg and mean BMI of 30.88±0.81 kg/m² were selected purposefully, and randomly allocated to the concurrent training (n=15) and control groups (n=15). The training program consisted 12 weeks of concurrent endurance and strength training. Blood samples were collected for measurements of apelin, interleukin-6, C-reactive protein and insulin resistance index before and after 12 weeks. Paired sample t-test and Independent were used to analyze the data (p <0.05).

Result: Research findings presented that the concurrent training may significantly reduce Body Mass Index (p=0.002), insulin resistance index (p=0.001), inflammatory indices of interleukin-6 (p=0.001), C-reactive protein (p=0.023) and apelin (p=0.001) and significantly increase maximal oxygen consumption (p=0.002) and one repetition maximum (p=0.001) compared to control group.

Conclusion: Generally, it appeared that 12 weeks of concurrent training with decreasing weight and body fat was effective in improving insulin resistance, inflammatory indices (interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein) and reducing aplein levels.