A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Effects of Endurance Training on Growth Factor and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 in Children and Adolescents after Abdominal Surgeries

Authors

1 General Surgeon, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

2 Associate Professor of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

Abstract
Introduction & Objective: Endurance training has been shown to reduce growth hormone levels more effectively than resistance training in obese children and adolescents. However, the effects of endurance training on non-obese children and adolescents remain unclear. This study aims to determine the effects of endurance training on growth factor and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in children and adolescents after abdominal surgeries through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Materials & Methods: This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis based on the PRISMA statement. Articles published up to early 2022 were searched in databases including PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, CINAHL, MEDLINE, SPORT Discus, Scopus, Mag Iran, and SID. The search strategy used Boolean operators with keywords: (youth or children or adolescents or teenagers or boys or girls or minors) and (hormone or growth hormone or insulin-like growth factor-1 or endocrine glands or cytokine) and (exercise or training) and (endurance or resistance) and (laparotomy or abdominal surgery). Results: A total of nine studies (190 participants) were included in this review, and it was found that endurance exercises have beneficial effects. The meta-analysis results showed that endurance training did not significantly increase growth hormone levels at the end of the study compared to the beginning (mean difference: 48 ng/ml - CI 95%: 0.02-0.99, P = 0.06-2%). Similarly, endurance training did not result in a significant change in IGF-1 levels at the end of the study compared to the beginning (mean difference: 22 ng/ml - CI 95%: 12.2-92.47, I2=0%, P = 0.92). Conclusions: In children and adolescents, hormonal systems adapt to long-term training, resulting in various effects. Endurance exercises have no impact on growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in children and adolescents after abdominal surgeries.

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