title: [Effect of physical activity on serum leptin levels].
abstract: Leptin is a protein hormone produced predominantly by adipocytes. Its serum concentrations usually reflect the total body fat content i.e. they are higher in obese than in lean subjects. The aim of our study was to follow the influence of the regular hard physical training on the serum leptin levels. Therefore, the serum leptin levels in top rugby players, top race walkers and age and gender-matched control group were compared. The relationship between serum leptin concentrations and body mass index and body fat content was also studied. It was found that serum leptin levels in rugby players were significantly higher than in race walkers group, but lower than in control one. Serum leptin levels in race walkers were lower than those of rugby players and of control group. The body fat content in race walkers was lower than in resting two groups. There was no significant difference in body fat content between control and rugby players group. Serum leptin levels correlated positively with body mass index and body fat content both in control and in rugby players group. No statistically significant relationship was found between leptin and body mass index or body fat content respectively in race walkers group. We conclude that serum leptin levels in top sportsmen are lower than in non-sporting healthy age and gender-matched controls. The lower leptin levels in top sportsmen are probably in part the result of lower body fat content and in part the result of complex neurohormonal adaptation on the long term physical training.
authors.affiliation: Ustav tĕlovýchovného lékarství, 1. lékarské fakulty Univerzity Karlovy, Praha, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Haluzíková
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haluzík
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nedvídková
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Boudová
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brandejský
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barácková
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Vilikus
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D020738:Leptin