Comparison of the effect of 8 weeks of high intensity functional training and traditional resistance training on the serum levels of myostatin and follistatin in active women

Introduction: Physical activity positively influences various physiological factors, laying the groundwork for beneficial changes. Myostatin and follistatin are among these factors, whose levels are influenced by gender and physical activity. The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of traditional resistance training (RT) and high functional training (HIFT) on the serum levels of myostatin and follistatin in young women. Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 30 young women were selected and divided into three groups: intense functional training, traditional resistance training, and control. Blood was drawn 24 hours before and 48 hours after the end of the interventions to measure the serum levels of myostatin and follistatin. The exercise protocols were performed for eight weeks, 3 days a week and 60 minutes a day. Ultimately, the collected data were analyzed using the ANOVA statistical method, with a significance level set at P < 0.05. Results: The results showed that follistatin level was significantly higher in the RT and HIFT groups than in the control group (P = 0.001). Also, the amount of follistatin in the HIFT group was considerably higher than the RT group (P = 0.01). The results showed that the level of myostatin in the RT and HIFT groups was significantly lower than the control group (P = 0.001). Also, the amount of this factor in the HIFT group was substantially lower than in the RT group (P = 0.01). Conclusions: In general, the findings of the present study show that performing intense resistance and functional exercises causes a favorable change in the expression of physiological factors related to muscle growth in women. It seems that the effect of intense functional exercises is greater than resistance exercises.