Ahi Evran Medical Journal (Apr 2024)

The Effect of Intermittent Fasting Diet and Light-Intensity Physical Activity on Serum Irisin Levels in Elderly Individuals

  • Hüsniye Bilge Sertdemir ,
  • Safiye Beyza Dursun,
  • Shaafah Namulodı,
  • Mehmet Salih Kaya,
  • Farhri Bayıroğlu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.46332/aemj.1331280
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8, no. 1
pp. 77 – 84

Abstract

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Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of exercise and intermittent fasting diet on some anthropometric measurements and circulating irisin concentration and to investigate the relationship between irisin and body fat percentage in elderly subjects. Materials and Methods: Forty-four elderly volunteers (21 men and 23 women) with a mean age of 69±9 years were randomly divided into 4 groups; Control (n=8), Bocce group (n=12), Intermittent fasting group (n=12), Bocce and Intermittent fasting group (n=12). Those in the control group continued with their normal activities. The Bocce group played Bocce for two hours five days a week. Those in the intermittent fasting group followed a 16-hour food restriction schedule on two non-consecutive days of the week. In addition to the Bocce Game, participants in the Intermittent Fasting and Bocce groups were given a food restriction regimen. The interventions were sustained for 12 weeks. Results: There was no significant difference in serum irisin levels between the same groups before and after treatment (p>0.05). Body fat percentage decreased significantly in all groups except the increase in the control group (p<0.05). Body weight decreased significantly in Bo and IF groups (p<0.05). Although there was a significant decrease (p<0.05) in body fat percentage in the IF group compared to the control group, the similar significant difference observed in irisin levels was probably not the result of the experimental treatment, but was probably due to the inevitable heterogeneous distribution in terms of age between the groups. There was no correlation between body fat percentage and body weight change and circulating irisin levels (r=0.116, p=0.437; r=-0.145, p=0.649, respectively). Conclusion: Intermittent fasting and Bocce intervention resulted in a decrease in body fat percentage and weight in elderly subjects, but not in serum irisin levels. This may be due to the slower response time to irisin in elderly individuals and/or the duration and intensity of exercise.

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