The Effect of Aerobic Exercise and Yoga on Serum Fetuin-A Levels in Obese Women with Type 2 Diabetes
Keywords:
Aerobic Exercise, Fetuin-A, Insulin Resistance, Type2 Diabetes, YogaAbstract
Objective: Type 2 diabetes is a prevalent metabolic disorder strongly associated with obesity and physical inactivity and is often accompanied by alterations in hepatokines such as fetuin-A. While physical activity has been proposed as a potential modulator of fetuin-A, comparative evidence across different exercise modalities remains limited. This study aimed to compare the effects of twelve weeks of aerobic exercise and yoga on serum fetuin-A levels in obese women with type 2 diabetes.
Methods and Materials: In this quasi-experimental study with a pretest–posttest control group design, 30 middle-aged women with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to aerobic training, yoga, or control groups. The exercise interventions were performed three times per week for 12 weeks. Aerobic training was conducted at 60–70% of maximum heart rate, while the yoga program consisted of supervised postures, breathing exercises, and meditation. Fasting blood samples were collected before and after the intervention. Serum fetuin-A was defined as the primary outcome, while anthropometric indices, fasting blood glucose, and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were considered secondary outcomes.
Findings: After 12 weeks, serum fetuin-A levels showed a modest reduction in both the aerobic exercise and yoga groups compared with the control group; however, these changes were not statistically significant (group × time interaction, p > 0.05). No significant between-group differences were observed for secondary outcomes, including body weight, body fat percentage, fasting glucose, or HOMA-IR.
Conclusion: 12 weeks of aerobic exercise or yoga did not produce statistically significant changes in serum fetuin-A or other metabolic markers in obese women with type 2 diabetes. Although a non-significant downward trend in fetuin-A was observed, these findings should be interpreted cautiously. Aerobic exercise and yoga appear to be safe and feasible lifestyle options, but larger and longer-term studies are required to determine whether these interventions can induce clinically meaningful metabolic adaptations.
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