The effects of different exercise types on insulin resistance and inflammatory markers in overweight female wrestlers

This study aimed to propose the most effective exercise program for overweight female wrestlers by comparing aerobic exercise, resistance exercise, and a combination exercise program. Thirty overweight female wrestlers were randomly assigned to the aerobic exercise group (AEG, n=10), resistance exercise group (n=10), and combined exercise group (CEG, n=10). Exercise intensity was set at 70% of maximal oxygen uptake and one-repetition maximum. Each group exercised for 50 min per session, 7 times per week, for 12 weeks. The study analyzed body composition, insulin resistance (IR), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP). After 12 weeks, body weight and body fat significantly decreased in all groups, with the most pronounced reduction observed in the AEG. IR also significantly improved in all groups, with the greatest reduction in the AEG. Finally, TNF-α, IL-6, and CRP levels decreased in all groups, with the most notable reduction observed in the CEG. The 12-week exercise program implemented in this study had positive effects on weight and body fat reduction, IR improvement, and decreases in TNF-α, IL-6, and CRP levels among overweight female wrestlers. These findings suggest that the program can contribute to enhancing athletic performance and daily activities through weight management, metabolic health, and inflammation control.