Background and Purpose: Myostatin and follistatin are key proteins in muscle tissue regulation, growth, and hypertrophy. This study aimed to investigate the effects of two types of resistance training on the serum levels of myostatin and follistatin and the ratio of follistatin to myostatin in healthy young men. Materials and Methods: Twenty active young men were randomly divided into two equal groups of pyramid resistance exercises (, Mean±SD; age, 22.3±4.7 years; body mass index, 23.1±3.9 kg/m2; fat percentage, 27.6±10.7) and inverted pyramid resistance exercises (Mean±SD; age, 21.11±3.55 years; body mass index, 23.2±6.7 kg/m2; fat percentage, 26.3±13.8). The training lasted for eight weeks and three sessions per week. Each training session included six movements of chest press, leg press, barbell curl, triceps extensions, leg flexions, and leg extensions at an intensity corresponding to 100-50% of one maximum repetition in the pyramid resistance training group and at an intensity of 50-100% of one maximum repetition in the inverted pyramid resistance training group. Data analyses were carried out by using dependent t-test and ANCOVA at a significance level of P≤ 0.05. Results: Data analyses showed that eight weeks of pyramid and inverted pyramid resistance training caused a significant decrease in the serum level of myostatin (P=0.004,P=0.01, respectively) and a significant increase in the serum level of follistatin (p = 0.001, P=001), and the ratio of follistatin to myostatin (P=0.001, P=0.001) in healthy men. The results for ANCOVA analyses showed that there is no significant difference between the two groups for serum levels of myostatin, follistatin, and the ratio of follistatin to myostatin (p>0.05). Conclusion: Pyramid and reverse pyramid resistance training were associated with an increase in follistatin, the ratio of follistatin to myostatin, and a decrease in myostatin. Since, we found no significant difference between the experimental groups, it could be concluded that in young men these training protocols may lead to muscular hypertrophy similarly.
1. Khalafi M, Aria B, Symonds ME, Rosenkranz SK. The effects of resistance training on myostatin and follistatin in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Physiology & Behavior. 2023:114272. DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114272
2. Taheri F, Fathi M, Hejazi K. The Effect of 10 Weeks Core Muscle Training on Levels of Follistatin, Myostatin, and Pain in Elderly Women. Internal Medicine Today. 2021;27(2):164-81. DOI: 32598/hms.27.2.1970.12 [In Persian]
3. Jang J, Park S, Kim Y, Jung J, Lee J, Chang Y, et al. Myostatin inhibition-induced increase in muscle mass and strength was amplified by resistance exercise training, and dietary essential amino acids improved muscle quality in mice. Nutrients. 2021;13(5):1508. DOI: 3390/nu13051508
4. Rezaeimanesh D. Responses of plasma levels of irisin, follistatin and insulin resistance index to two types of high intensity interval training in overweight men. Journal of Sport and Exercise Physiology. 2024;16(4):31-40. DOI: 48308/JOEPPA.2023.232503.1182 [In Persian]
5. Estes RR, Malinowski A, Piacentini M, Thrush D, Salley E, Losey C, et al. The effect of high intensity interval run training on cross-sectional area of the vastus lateralis in untrained college students. International journal of exercise science. 2017;10(1):137.
6. Karimi R, Fakhrpour R, Zarneshan A. Effect of Resistance Training with Milk Protein Concentrate (MPC) Supplementation on serum levels of Follistatin and myostatin and Muscle Hypertrophy in Beginner Bodybuilders. Journal of Applied Health Studies in Sport Physiology. 2022;9(1):151-63. DOI: 10.22049/JAHSSP.2022.27812.1471 [In Persian]
7. Kazemi A, Ghanbarzadeh M, Salmani A, Navidi Z. The effect of a period of resistance training with reduced blood flow on plasma levels of myostatin and IL-6 in martial arts young men. Journal of Sports and Biomotor Sciences. 2023;14(28):1-8. DOI: 22034/SBS.2022.162759 [In Persian]
8. Haudum A, Birklbauer J, Müller E. The effect of an acute bout of rubber tube running constraint on kinematics and muscle activity. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine. 2012;11(3):459.
9. Omidbakhsh GA, Fathi M, Hejazi K. Comparison the Effect of Eight Weeks Pyramid Resistance Training With two Patterns on Bio-motor Ability and Anthropometrical in Wrestlers. Journal of Sport Biomechanics. 2020;6(2):110-21. DOI: 32598/biomechanics.6.2.3 [In Persian]
10. Siahkohian M. Comparison Study of the Effects of Six-week Resistance Training with Pyramid, Reverse Pyramid and Double Pyramid Loading Patterns on Some Physiological Indexes of Female Volleyball Players. Sport Sciences Quarterly. 2021;13(41):58-71. [In Persian]
11. Heshmati Z, Sarshin A, Abbasi A. Examination of muscular electromyography during deadlift at pyramid and reverse pyramid loadings. The Scientific Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. 2020;9(2):17-24. DOI: 22037/JRM.2019.112130.2160 [In Persian]
12. Ribeiro AS, Schoenfeld BJ, Souza MF, Tomeleri CM, Venturini D, Barbosa DS, et al. Traditional and pyramidal resistance training systems improve muscle quality and metabolic biomarkers in older women: A randomized crossover study. Experimental Gerontology. 2016;79:8-15. DOI: 1016/j.exger.2016.03.007
13. Mardani A, Abednatanzi H, Gholami M, Ghazalian F, Azizbeigi K. Effect of intensity sequence of resistance training on some antioxidants factors and Malondialdehyde plasma in over weight men. The Scientific Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. 2022;10(6):1258-69. DOI: 32598/SJRM.10.6.13 [In Persian]
14. Ribeiro AS, Schoenfeld BJ, Fleck SJ, Pina FL, Nascimento MA, Cyrino ES. Effects of traditional and pyramidal resistance training systems on muscular strength, muscle mass, and hormonal responses in older women: A randomized crossover trial. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research. 2017;31(7):1888-96. DOI: 1519/jsc.0000000000001653
15. Hassannattaj R, Safarzadeh A, Nasiri K. The effect of resistance training with two different volumes on the expression of regulatory myokine of muscle growth in diabetic rats fed with high-fat food. Sport Physiology & Management Investigations. 2024. [In Persian]
16. roshandel p, Yaghoubi A. Effect of resistance training with two different intensities on the amount of myostatin and folicatin and the ratio of folinatcin to myostatin in young women. Journal of Physiologh of Movement & Health. 1400;1(1):31-41. DOI: 1001.1.27834603.1400.1.1.5.8 [In Persian]
17. Haff GG, Dumke C. Laboratory manual for exercise physiology: Human Kinetics; 2022.
19. Jackson AS, Pollock ML, Ward A. Generalized equations for predicting body density of women. Medicine and science in sports and exercise. 1980;12(3):175-81.
20. Siri WE. Body composition from fluid spaces and density: analysis of methods. 1956.
21. Brzycki M. Strength testing—predicting a one-rep max from reps-to-fatigue. Journal of physical education, recreation & dance. 1993;64(1):88-90. DOI: 1080/07303084.1993.10606684
22. Da Silva D, Curty V, Areas J, Souza S, Hackney A, Machado M. Comparison of DeLorme with Oxford resistance training techniques: effects of training on muscle damage markers. Biology of Sport. 2010;27(2). DOI: 10.5604/20831862.913066
23. Cattan GH. Pyramidal Systems in Resistance Training. Encyclopedia. 2021;1(2):423-32. DOI: 3390/encyclopedia1020035
24. Wade SM, Pope ZC, Simonson SR. How prepared are college freshmen athletes for the rigors of college strength and conditioning? A survey of college strength and conditioning coaches. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research. 2014;28(10):2746-53. DOI: 1519/JSC.0000000000000473
25. Sajedi Nia M, Abbasi A, Khaleghi Tazji M, Fadaie H. The Effect of Pyramid and Reverse Pyramid Loadings on Spine and Pelvis Coordination Variability During Squat. The Scientific Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. 2024;13(1):194-207. DOI: 32598/SJRM.13.1.13 [In Persian]
27. Ebrahimnia M, Haghighi A. Comparison of the effect of three combined training method (aerobic and resistance) with and without vascular occlusion on some indices of hypertrophy in elderly women. J Neyshabur Univ Med Sci. 2019;7(1):82-97. [In Persian]
28. Fattahpour Marani M, Babaei S. The effect of 8 weeks of HIIT exercises on the serum levels of myostatin and follistatin in inactive young women. Metabolism and Exercise. 2023;13(2):89-99. DOI: 22124/jme.2023.24355.296 [In Persian]
29. Elliott BT, Herbert P, Sculthorpe N, Grace FM, Stratton D, Hayes LD. Lifelong exercise, but not short‐term high‐intensity interval training, increases GDF 11, a marker of successful aging: a preliminary investigation. Physiological reports. 2017;5(13):e13343. DOI: 14814/phy2.13343
30. Kazemi F, Nourshahi M. Acute and Delayed Response of Myostatin and Insulin Resistance to Circuit Resistance Exercise. Journal of Sport Biosciences. 2013;4(14):129-43. DOI: 22059/jsb.2013.29532 [In Persian]
31. Bagheri L, Faramarzi M, Bani Talebi E, Azimiyan A. The effect of sequence order of combined training (strength and endurance) on Myostatin, Follistatin and Follistatin/Myostatin ratio in older women. Sport physiology. 2015;7(26):143-64. DOI: 1001.1.2322164.1394.7.26.9.1 [In Persian]
32. Bahram ME, Hemmati S, Sara NVK, Afroundeh R, Davarpanah S. The Effect of Training TRX on Serum Levels of Myostatin and Follistatin and Neuromuscular Function in Overweight Elderly Men. DOI: 22034/IJRN.9.3.9 [In Persian]
33. Shanazari Z, Faramarzi M, Banitalebi E, Hemmati R. The Eeffect of Eight Weeks Moderate and High Intensity Resistance Training on Resting Levels of Serum Myostatin and IGF-I in elderly Rats. Metabolism and Exercise.2018;8(1):14-1. DOI: 22124/jme.2018.3560 [In Persian]
34. Willoughby DS. Effects of an alleged myostatin-binding supplement and heavy resistance training on serum myostatin, muscle strength and mass, and body composition. International Journal of Sport Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism. 2004;14(4). DOI: 1123/ijsnem.14.4.461
35. Szulc P, Schoppet M, Goettsch C, Rauner M, Dschietzig T, Chapurlat R, et al. Endocrine and clinical correlates of myostatin serum concentration in men—the STRAMBO study. The journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism. 2012;97(10):3700-8. DOI: 1210/jc.2012-1273
36. Jespersen J, Nedergaard A, Andersen LL, Schjerling P, Andersen J. Myostatin expression during human muscle hypertrophy and subsequent atrophy: increased myostatin with detraining. Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports. 2011;21(2):215-23. DOI: 1111/j.1600-0838.2009.01044.x
37. Kazemi A, Vakilzadeh B. The effects of resistance training with BFR on serum IL-15 and folestatin in young male athletes. Sport Physiology & Management Investigations. 2021;13(3):159-70. DOI: 1001.1.1735.5354.1400.13.3.10.5.677 [In Persian]
38. Asadpour SM, Daryanoosh F, Salesi M, Nemati J, Kooroshfard N. The effect of high intensity interval training on muscle tissue content of myostatin and follistatin proteins in elderly rats. Daneshvar Medicine. 2021;29(4):66-77. DOI: 22070/DANESHMED.2021.14510.1082 [In Persian]
39. Biglari S, Gaeini AA, Kordi MR, Ghardashi Afousi A. The effect of 8 weeks high-intensity interval training on myostatin and follistatin gene expression in gastrocnemius muscle of the rats. Journal of Arak University of Medical Sciences. 2018;21(1):1-10. URL: http://jams.arakmu.ac.ir/article-1-5477-en.html [In Persian]
40. Azhir S, Alijani E, Mohsenzadeh M. Effect of 8 weeks HIIT exercise on myostatin, follistatin an follistatin gene expression ratios on myostatin in male rats with type 2 diabetes. Majallah-i pizishki-i Danishgah-i Ulum-i Pizishki va Khadamat-i Bihdashti-i Darmani-i Tabriz. 2020;42(2):117-25. DOI: 34172/mj.2020.027 [In Persian]
41. Arabmomeni A, Momeni K, Soltanian E. Comparison of the Effect of Two Resistance and Functional Training on Myoestatin and Body Composition in Non-Active Men. Journal of Jiroft University of Medical Sciences. 2023;10(1):1215-27. DOI: 1001.1.25382810.1402.10.1.7.0 [In Persian]
Cheragh-Birjandi, S., & Farhadpoor, M. (2024). Comparison of the effects of two types of resistance training on the serum levels of factors involved in muscular hypertrophy in healthy young men. Journal of Sport and Exercise Physiology, 17(2), 67-79. doi: 10.48308/joeppa.2024.235785.1256
MLA
Sadegh Cheragh-Birjandi; Mojtaba Farhadpoor. "Comparison of the effects of two types of resistance training on the serum levels of factors involved in muscular hypertrophy in healthy young men", Journal of Sport and Exercise Physiology, 17, 2, 2024, 67-79. doi: 10.48308/joeppa.2024.235785.1256
HARVARD
Cheragh-Birjandi, S., Farhadpoor, M. (2024). 'Comparison of the effects of two types of resistance training on the serum levels of factors involved in muscular hypertrophy in healthy young men', Journal of Sport and Exercise Physiology, 17(2), pp. 67-79. doi: 10.48308/joeppa.2024.235785.1256
VANCOUVER
Cheragh-Birjandi, S., Farhadpoor, M. Comparison of the effects of two types of resistance training on the serum levels of factors involved in muscular hypertrophy in healthy young men. Journal of Sport and Exercise Physiology, 2024; 17(2): 67-79. doi: 10.48308/joeppa.2024.235785.1256