The aim of this review was to present and discuss the influence of exercise on blood concentrations of adiponectin and its association with insulin sensitivity. Studies conducted over the past 10 years showed that acute exercise of high intensity causes a decrease in blood adiponectin concentrations without changing insulin concentrations. However, acute exercise of moderate intensity does not alter the blood concentrations of adiponectin, though it improves insulin sensitivity. Chronic exercise, nevertheless, increases blood levels of adiponectin, improves insulin sensitivity but alters body composition in obese individuals. In normal weight individuals, however, the blood levels of adiponectin are not affected, despite the benefits of chronic exercise to body composition and insulin sensitivity.
Adiponectin; chronic exercise; acute exercise; insulin