Introduction: Lipocalin-2 derived from adipose tissue is associated with insulin resistance, systemic inflammation, and cardiovascular disease in obese people. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of rope jump exercise training on serum lipocalin-2 levels, anthropometric parameters, and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) in obese adolescent boys.
Materials and methods: Twenty obese adolescent boys participated voluntarily in the study and were equally assigned to control and rope jump groups. Rope jump exercise protocol was practiced in 8 weeks, 3 days per week. Blood samples were taken before and after the program. The VO2max of each participant was estimated using Cooper's 12-minute run test. Serum lipocalin-2 levels were measured using a commercial ELISA kit.
Results: Within-group comparisons revealed that rope jump exercise training resulted in a significant reduction in weight (P = 0.005), BMI (P = 0.002), abdominal circumference (P = 0.001), body fat percentage (P = 0.001), and serum levels of lipocalin-2 (P = 0.002). In contrast, lean body mass (LBM) (P = 0.047) and VO₂max (P = 0.007) increased significantly in the rope jump group. After the intervention, abdominal circumference (P = 0.001), body fat percentage (P = 0.001), weight (P = 0.001), and BMI (P = 0.001) were significantly lower in the rope jump group than in the control group. VO₂max in the rope jump group was significantly higher than in the control group at the end of the exercise training protocol (P = 0.001). However, no significant differences were found between the groups concerning lipocalin-2 level (P = 0.105), waist-to-hip ratio (P = 0.461), and LBM (P = 0.053) at the end of the protocol.
Conclusion: While rope jump exercise training enhanced anthropometric parameters and aerobic power in obese adolescents, it failed to significantly alter the serum lipocalin-2 level, as an inflammatory marker.