Purpose: it has been determined that physical activity ameliorates inflammatory status caused by obesity and
aging process. This study investigated effect of swimming endurance training on serum visfatin levels, insulin
resistance index (HOMA-IR) and lipids profile in obese women. Methodology: Participants included 16
sedentary post menopausal obese women (BMI=30.16±1.15 kg/m2, mean aged 54.25±3.9 years) randomly
assigned to two experimental and control groups, participated in 10 weeks of swimming endurance training
(50-60% of maximal heart rate), 3 days per week. Serum visfatin levels, HOMA-IR, lipids profile and
anthropometric measurements were assessed before and 48 hours after training. Statistical analysis was done
by paired and independent t -test and Pearson correlation, and P value < 0.05 was considered significant.
Results: 10 weeks of endurance training reduced visfatin level (P=0.045, 28.5%) and HOMA-IR (P=0.005,
34.85%) and improved lipids profile and anthropometric indices (P<0.05). Although Pearson correlation
showed significant correlations between the primary concentrations of visfatin and primary levels of TG
(P=0.044, r=0.720) and HDL-C (P=0.032, r= -0.750), no significant correlations existed between changes in
visfatin levels and changes in none of variables assessed (P>0.05). Hence, changes in HOMA-IR had
significant correlations with changes in weight (P=0.002, r=0.898), BMI (P=0.000, r=0.942) and waist
circumference (P=0.002, r=0.906). Conclusion: Endurance training reduces visfatin concentration and
improves lipids profile and body composition in sedentary postmenopausal obese women.