Aerobic VS Anaerobic Exercise on Body Composition and Hormonal Adaptations in Athletes and Non-Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58524/jcss.v4i1.553

Keywords:

Aerobic exercise, Anaerobic exercise, Body composition, Endurance training, High-intensity training, Hormonal changes.

Abstract

Background:This study examined the differential effects of aerobic and anaerobicexercise on body composition and hormonal adaptations in athletes and non-athletes, providing evidence-based recommendations for optimizing fitness andhealth outcomes, such as training duration, frequency, and the combination ofaerobic and anaerobic exercises.

Aim: These specific recommendations aim to enhanceboth physical performance and overall health, tailored to the needs of differentpopulations.

Methods: A randomized controlled trialinvolving 120 males(60 athletes,60 non-athletes, aged 18–25 years) was conducted. Participants engaged in 12 weeks ofeither aerobic or anaerobic exercise. The aerobic group performed moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) for 50 minutes persession, 3 times per week,while the anaerobic group performed 30 minutes of resistancetraining followed by 20 minutes of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) 3 times per week. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measured body composition, while blood samplesassessed testosterone, cortisol, and growth hormone levels. Mixed ANOVA analyzedthe effects of exercise type, athletic status, and time.

Results: Anaerobic exercise led to significant increases in lean body mass andstrength, while aerobic exercise induced greater fat loss. Athletes exhibited morepronounced increases in testosterone and growth hormone levels, compared tonon-athletes.

Conclusions:Tailoredexerciseprograms,consideringfitnesslevelsandgoals,canoptimize body composition and hormonal health. These findings have practicalimplications for designing effective training regimens for diverse populations.

Author Biographies

  • Md Shahariar Kabir, Nims University Rajasthan Jaipur, India.
    Ph.D. Research Scholar, 

    Department of Physical Education, 

    School of Humanities and Liberal Arts, 

    Nims University, 

    Rajasthan, Jaipur, 

    India


  • Sunita Yadav, Nims University Rajasthan Jaipur, India.

    Assistant Professor,

    Department of Physical Education, 

    School of Humanities and Liberal Arts, 

    Nims University, 

    Rajasthan, Jaipur,

     India


  • Subhashis Biswas, ICFAI University, Tripura, India

    Assistant Professor, 

    Department of Physical Education and Yoga

    ICFAI University, 

    Tripura, India



  • Sangeeta Pradhan, Nims University Rajasthan, Jaipur, India
    Ph.D. Research scholar, Department of Physical Education. School of Humanities and Liberal Arts, Nims University Rajasthan, Jaipur, India
  • Vlad Adrian Geantă, Aurel Vlaicu University of Arad, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Arad, Romania
    Assistant Professor, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Arad, Romania

References

Aldoski, D., Al-Naemi, R. S., & Khalid, A. A. (2023). Effect Of Aerobic, Anaerobic and Resistance Exercises on Oxidative Stress Status in Healthy Sport Practitioners. Academic Journal of Nawroz University, 12(4), 478-487. https://doi.org/10.25007/ajnu.v12n4a1135

Ammar, A., Trabelsi, K., Boukhris, O., Glenn, J. M., Bott, N., Masmoudi, L., Hakim, A., Chtourou, H., Driss, T., Hoekelmann, A., & El Abed, K. (2020). Effects of Aerobic-, Anaerobic- and Combined-Based Exercises on Plasma Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Healthy Untrained Young Adults. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(7), 2601. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17072601

Almutairi, A. H., Almutairi, N. S., Mousa, N., Elsayed, A., El-Sehrawy, A., & Elmetwalli, A. (2024). Aerobic exercise as a non-pharmacological intervention for improving metabolic and hemodynamic profiles in type 2 diabetes. Irish journal of medical science, 193(6), 2781–2790. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-024-03783-6

Alves, J., Toro, V., Barrientos, G., Bartolomé, I., Muñoz, D., & Maynar, M. (2020). Hormonal Changes in High-Level Aerobic Male Athletes during a Sports Season. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(16), 5833.

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17165833

Atakan, M. M., Li, Y., Koşar, Ş. N., Turnagöl, H. H., & Yan, X. (2021). Evidence-Based Effects of High- Intensity Interval Training on Exercise Capacity and Health: A Review with Historical Perspective. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(13), 7201. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18137201

Babaei Mazreno, A., & Taghian, F. (2024). A Comparative Study of the Effects of Aerobic and Resistance Training on Physical and Cognitive Health in Older Adults. Elderly Health Journal, 10(2), 129-135. https://doi.org/10.18502/ehj.v10i2.17367

Bartlett, M. F., Miehm, J. D., Fitzgerald, L. F., & Straight, C. R. (2017). Do changes in mitochondrial quality contribute to increases in skeletal muscle oxidative capacity following endurance training?. The Journal of physiology, 595(6), 1861–1862. https://doi.org/10.1113/JP273809

Blagrove, R. C. (2022). Understanding and developing aerobic fitness. În A. Turner & P. Comfort (Eds.), Advanced strength and conditioning (2nd ed., pp. 24). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003044734

Caponnetto, P., Casu, M., Amato, M., Cocuzza, D., Galofaro, V., La Morella, A., Paladino, S., Pulino, K., Raia, N., Recupero, F., Resina, C., Russo, S., Terranova, L. M., Tiralongo, J., & Vella, M. C. (2021). The Effects of Physical Exercise on Mental Health: From Cognitive Improvements to Risk of Addiction. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(24), 13384. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182413384

Daniela, M., Catalina, L., Ilie, O., Paula, M., Daniel-Andrei, I., & Ioana, B. (2022). Effects of Exercise Training on the Autonomic Nervous System with a Focus on Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidants Effects. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), 11(2), 350.

https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11020350

Daussin, F. N., Zoll, J., Ponsot, E., Dufour, S. P., Doutreleau, S., Lonsdorfer, E., Ventura-Clapier, R., Mettauer, B., Piquard, F., Geny, B., & Richard, R. (2008). Training at high exercise intensity

promotes qualitative adaptations of mitochondrial function in human skeletal muscle. Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985), 104(5), 1436–1441. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.01135.2007

D'Onofrio, G., Kirschner, J., Prather, H., Goldman, D., & Rozanski, A. (2023). Musculoskeletal exercise: Its role in promoting health and longevity. Progress in cardiovascular diseases, 77, 25–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcad.2023.02.006

Dopsaj, M., Mijalkovski, Z., & Milić, R. (2018). Protein, Body Fat And Protein Fat Index (Pfi): Model Characteristics And Differences Between Athletes And Non-Athletes Of Both Genders Estimated Using Multichannel Bioelectric Impedance. Acta Medica Medianae. https://doi.org/10.5633/amm.2018.0319

Fleck S. J. (1983). Body composition of elite American athletes. The American journal of sports medicine, 11(6), 398–403. https://doi.org/10.1177/036354658301100604

Foster, C., Farland, C. V., Guidotti, F., Harbin, M., Roberts, B., Schuette, J., Tuuri, A., Doberstein, S. T., & Porcari, J. P. (2015). The Effects of High Intensity Interval Training vs Steady State Training on Aerobic and Anaerobic Capacity. Journal of sports science & medicine, 14(4), 747–755.

Franklin, B. A., Eijsvogels, T. M. H., Pandey, A., Quindry, J., & Toth, P. P. (2022). Physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and cardiovascular health: A clinical practice statement of the ASPC Part I: Bioenergetics, contemporary physical activity recommendations, benefits, risks, extreme exercise regimens, potential maladaptations. American journal of preventive cardiology, 12, 100424. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajpc.2022.100424

Fiorenza, M., Lemminger, A. K., Marker, M., Eibye, K., Iaia, F. M., Bangsbo, J., & Hostrup, M. (2019). High-intensity exercise training enhances mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation efficiency in a temperature-dependent manner in human skeletal muscle: implications for exercise performance. FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, 33(8), 8976–8989. https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.201900106RRR

Garber, C. E., Blissmer, B., Deschenes, M. R., Franklin, B. A., Lamonte, M. J., Lee, I. M., Nieman, D. C., Swain, D. P., & American College of Sports Medicine (2011). American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Quantity and quality of exercise for developing and maintaining cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, and neuromotor fitness in apparently healthy adults: guidance for prescribing exercise. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 43(7), 1334– 1359. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e318213fefb

Gedara, O. & Othalawa, S. (2023). Long term adaptations and mechanisms of different protocols of "concurrent" training in recreationally trained male adults [Doctoral Thessis]. UCAM Institutional Repository. Retrived from: https://repositorio.ucam.edu/handle/10952/6442

Gharahdaghi, N., Phillips, B. E., Szewczyk, N. J., Smith, K., Wilkinson, D. J., & Atherton, P. J. (2021). Links Between Testosterone, Oestrogen, and the Growth Hormone/Insulin-Like Growth Factor Axis and Resistance Exercise Muscle Adaptations. Frontiers in physiology, 11, 621226. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2020.621226

Granero-Jiménez, J., López-Rodríguez, M. M., Dobarrio-Sanz, I., & Cortés-Rodríguez, A. E. (2022). Influence of Physical Exercise on Psychological Well-Being of Young Adults: A Quantitative Study. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(7), 4282. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19074282

Haaja, E. (2024). Associations of maximum oxygen uptake and body composition with arterial stiffness and blood lipids: A cross-sectional study among physically active females in two different training periods [Master’s thesis, University of Jyväskylä]. JYX Repository. Retrived from: https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/95084

Hackney, A. C., & Walz, E. A. (2013). and the stress of exercise training: the role of glucocorticoids. Trends in sport sciences, 20(4), 165–171.

Häkkinen, K., Komi, P. V., & Alén, M. (1985). Effect of explosive type strength training on isometric force- and relaxation-time, electromyographic and muscle fibre characteristics of leg extensor muscles. Acta physiologica Scandinavica, 125(4), 587–600. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748- 1716.1985.tb07759.x

Herbert C. (2022). Enhancing Mental Health, Well-Being and Active Lifestyles of University Students by Means of Physical Activity and Exercise Research Programs. Frontiers in public health, 10, 849093. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.849093

Jacobs, R. A., & Lundby, C. (2013). Mitochondria express enhanced quality as well as quantity in association with aerobic fitness across recreationally active individuals up to elite athletes. Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985), 114(3), 344–350. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.01081.2012

Kabir, M. S., Yadav, S., Prasad, T., & Biswas, S. (2023). Demographic Insights Into College-Going Students in India: A Morphological Analysis. International Journal of Kinanthropometry, 3(2), 69–77. https://doi.org/10.34256/ijk2328

Kumar, G., & Pandey, V. (2023). Effect of Complex Training on Aerobic and Anaerobic Power of Amateur Athletes. Physical Education Theory and Methodology, 23(1), 65–71. https://doi.org/10.17309/tmfv.2023.1.09

Kostrzewa-Nowak, D., Kubaszewska, J., Nowakowska, A., & Nowak, R. (2020). Effect of Aerobic and Anaerobic Exercise on the Complement System of Proteins in Healthy Young Males. Journal of clinical medicine, 9(8), 2357. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9082357

Kraemer, W. J., & Ratamess, N. A. (2004). Fundamentals of resistance training: progression and exercise prescription. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 36(4), 674–688. https://doi.org/10.1249/01.MSS.0000121945.36635.61

Kraemer, W. J., & Ratamess, N. A. (2005). Hormonal responses and adaptations to resistance exercise and training. Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 35(4), 339–361. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200535040-00004

Kraemer, W. J., Ratamess, N. A., & Nindl, B. C. (2017). Recovery responses of testosterone, growth hormone, and IGF-1 after resistance exercise. Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985), 122(3), 549–558. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00599.2016

Lee, K. L., Oh, T. W., Gil, Y. C., & Kim, H. J. (2021). Correlation between muscle architecture and anaerobic power in athletes involved in different sports. Scientific reports, 11(1), 13332. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-92831-7

Lee, E. C., Fragala, M. S., Kavouras, S. A., Queen, R. M., Pryor, J. L., & Casa, D. J. (2017). Biomarkers in Sports and Exercise: Tracking Health, Performance, and Recovery in Athletes. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 31(10), 2920–2937. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000002122

MacInnis, M. J., Zacharewicz, E., Martin, B. J., Haikalis, M. E., Skelly, L. E., Tarnopolsky, M. A., Murphy,

R. M., & Gibala, M. J. (2017). Superior mitochondrial adaptations in human skeletal muscle after interval compared to continuous single-leg cycling matched for total work. The Journal of physiology, 595(9), 2955–2968. https://doi.org/10.1113/JP272570

Mahindru, A., Patil, P., & Agrawal, V. (2023). Role of Physical Activity on Mental Health and Well- Being: A Review. Cureus, 15(1), e33475. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.33475

Mølmen, K. S., Almquist, N. W., & Skattebo, Ø. (2024). Effects of Exercise Training on Mitochondrial and Capillary Growth in Human Skeletal Muscle: A Systematic Review and Meta- Regression. Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 10.1007/s40279-024-02120-2. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-024-02120-2

Nam, S. S., Sunoo, S., Park, H. Y., & Moon, H. W. (2016). The effects of long-term whole-body vibration and aerobic exercise on body composition and bone mineral density in obese middle-aged women. Journal of exercise nutrition & biochemistry, 20(2), 19–27. https://doi.org/10.20463/jenb.2016.06.20.2.3

Patel, H., Alkhawam, H., Madanieh, R., Shah, N., Kosmas, C. E., & Vittorio, T. J. (2017). Aerobic vsanaerobic exercise training effects on the cardiovascular system. World journal of cardiology, 9(2), 134–138. https://doi.org/10.4330/wjc.v9.i2.134

Pellegrino, J. K., Anthony, T. G., Gillies, P., & Arent, S. M. (2022). The exercise metabolome: acute aerobic and anaerobic signatures. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 19(1), 603–622. https://doi.org/10.1080/15502783.2022.2115858

Schoenfeld B. J. (2010). The mechanisms of muscle hypertrophy and their application to resistance training. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 24(10), 2857–2872. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181e840f3

Shi, M., Wang, X., Yamanaka, T., Ogita, F., Nakatani, K., & Takeuchi, T. (2007). Effects of anaerobic exercise and aerobic exercise on biomarkers of oxidative stress. Environmental health and preventive medicine, 12(5), 202–208. https://doi.org/10.1265/ehpm.12.202

Smith, P. J., & Merwin, R. M. (2021). The role of exercise in management of mental health disorders: an integrative review. Annual review of medicine, 72(1), 45-62. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-med-060619-022943

Spriet, L.L. (2022). Anaerobic Metabolism During Exercise. In: McConell, G. (eds) Exercise Metabolism. Physiology in Health and Disease. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978- 3-030-94305-9_4

Striga S. I. (2024). The impact of aerobic and anaerobic exercises on human physical development. Psychological and pedagogical problems of human and social security. (1), 23-30. https://doi.org/10.61260/2074-1618-2024-1-23-30

Tatlibal, P., & Zencir, B., (2022). The Effect of Regular Exercises on Aerobic and Anaerobic Capacity Development. Pakistan Journal of Medical and Health Sciences , vol.16, no.1, 993-997. https://doi.org/10.53350/pjmhs22161993

Wang, X., Soh, K. G., Samsudin, S., Deng, N., Liu, X., Zhao, Y., & Akbar, S. (2023). Effects of high-intensity functional training on physical fitness and sport-specific performance among the athletes: A systematic review with meta-analysis. PloS one, 18(12), e0295531. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0295531

Xie, H., & Song, Y. (2021). Study on adaptation characteristics of vascular elasticity among female athletes in different sports. Science & Sports, 36(5), 399-405. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scispo.2020.10.007

Xie, Y., Wu, Z., Sun, L., Zhou, L., Wang, G., Xiao, L., & Wang, H. (2021). The Effects and Mechanisms of Exercise on the Treatment of Depression. Frontiers in psychiatry, 12, 705559. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.705559

Yan, Z., Okutsu, M., Akhtar, Y. N., & Lira, V. A. (2011). Regulation of exercise-induced fiber type transformation, mitochondrial biogenesis, and angiogenesis in skeletal muscle. Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985), 110(1), 264–274. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00993.2010

World Health Organization. (2020). Physical activity. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact- sheets/detail/physical-activity

Downloads

Published

2025-01-27

How to Cite

Kabir, M. S., Yadav, S., Biswas, S., Pradhan, S., & Geantă, V. A. (2025). Aerobic VS Anaerobic Exercise on Body Composition and Hormonal Adaptations in Athletes and Non-Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Coaching and Sports Science, 4(1), 52-65. https://doi.org/10.58524/jcss.v4i1.553