Dwi Cahyo Kartiko, Purwo Sri Rejeki, Dono Indarto, Irmantara Subagio, Sasminta Christina Yuli Hartati, Bekir Erhan Orhan, Yuni Nurwati, Adi Pranoto
Background. Leptin dysregulation and unfavorable body composition are central features of obesity in women. Although combined aerobic and resistance training is commonly prescribed to improve adiposity and muscle mass, evidence integrating changes in serum leptin concentration with detailed body composition outcomes in this population remains limited. Objectives. The present randomized controlled trial aimed to examine the effects of an eight-week combined training intervention on leptin concentration, fat mass, and skeletal muscle mass in obese women. Materials and Methods. Thirty obese women were allocated to either a combined training group or a non-exercising control group. The intervention consisted of moderate-intensity aerobic and resistance exercise performed five times per week for eight weeks. Body composition included body fat percentages (BFP), fat mass (FM), Free Fat Mass (FFM) and skeletal muscle mass (SMM) was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis, and serum leptin concentration was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pre–post and between–group differences were analyzed using parametric statistical tests (independent sample t test and paired t test) with a significance threshold of p < 0.05. Results. Participants who completed the combined training program exhibited significant reductions in serum leptin concentration and adiposity indices (specifically BFP and FM), alongside significant increases in FFM and SMM, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusions. Using short-term moderate-intensity combined aerobic and resistance training was associated with favorable changes in leptin concentration. These findings support the potential role of structured combination training as an exercise-based approach for improving metabolic and musculoskeletal profiles within the limits of the present study. © Kartiko, D. C., Rejeki, P. S., Indarto, D., Subagio, I., Hartati, S. C. Y., Orhan, B. E., Nurwati, Y., & Pranoto, A., 2026.
Department of Physical Education, Health and Recreation, Faculty of Sport and Health Science, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Jl Raya Kampus Kampus, Lidah Wetan, Kec. Lakarsantri, East Java, Surabaya, 60213, Indonesia; Physiology Division, Department of Medical Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Jl. Prof. DR. Moestopo No.47, Pacar Kembang, Kec. Tambaksari, East Java, Surabaya, 60132, Indonesia; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Jalan Kolonel Sutarto, Jebres, Central Java, Surakarta City, 57126, Indonesia; Department of Sports Coaching Education, Faculty of Sport and Health Science, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Jl Raya Kampus Kampus, Lidah Wetan, Kec. Lakarsantri, East Java, Surabaya, 60213, Indonesia; Faculty of Sports Sciences, Istanbul Aydın University, Istanbul, Küçükçekmece, 34295, Turkey; Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Sport and Health Science, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Jl Raya Kampus Kampus, Lidah Wetan, Kec. Lakarsantri, East Java, Surabaya, 60213, Indonesia
