Effects of strength or aerobic training on body composition, resting metabolic rate, and peak oxygen consumption in obese dieting subjects

Abstract

Given that resting metabolic rate (RMR) is related largely to the amount of fat-free mass (FFM), the hypothesis was that strength training, which stimulates muscle hypertrophy, would help preserve both FFM and RMR during dieting. In a randomized controlled intervention trial, moderately obese subjects (aged 19-48 y) were assigned to one of three groups: diet plus strength training, diet plus aerobic training, or diet only. Sixty-five subjects (25 men and 40 women) completed the study. They received a formula diet with an energy content of 70% of RMR or 5150 +/- 1070 kJ/d (x +/- SD) during the 8-wk intervention. They were seen weekly for individual nutritional counseling. Subjects in the two exercise groups, designed to be isoenergetic, trained three times per week under supervision. Those in the strength-training group performed progressive weight-resistance exercises for the upper and lower body. Those in the aerobic group performed alternate leg and arm cycling. After 8 wk, the mean amount of weight lost, 9.0 kg, did not differ significantly among groups. The strength-training group, however, lost significantly less FFM (P < 0.05) than the aerobic and diet-only groups. The strength-training group also showed significant increases (P < 0.05) in anthropometrically measured flexed arm muscle mass and grip strength. Mean RMR declined significantly, without differing among groups. Peak oxygen consumption increased the most for the aerobic group (P = 0.03). In conclusion, strength training significantly reduced the loss of FFM during dieting but did not prevent the decline in RMR.

Effect of Diet and Exercise on Body Composition, Energy Intake and Leptin Levels in Overweight Women and Men

“…However, these results are in agreement with other researchers [19,20] who have reported significant improvements in blood pressure among groups involved in increased physical activity and/or dietary interventions compared to control groups. For example, Wood and colleagues [20] found a significant reduction resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure in men and women in both D and DE compared to control groups after one year.…”

“…Kraemer et al [14] have shown that the inclusion of both endurance and heavy resistance training three times per week resulted in a nearly complete preservation of LBM in a group of overweight men. Geliebter et al [19] have similarly shown that strength training significantly preserves LBM relative to either aerobic exercise or no exercise in diet-restricting obese subjects. Because our study was solely comprised of aerobic exercise, LBM was not as well preserved.…”

Efficacy of exercise for treating overweight in children and adolescents: a systematic review

“…In adults, weight training has been shown to be superior to aerobic exercise for the maintenance of fat-free mass during dietary restriction, [90][91][92] while aerobic and weight-training exercise in combination was found to be superior to either modality alone for decreasing whole body fat during dietary restriction. 90,93 Theoretically, a similar rationale for preserving fat-free mass would apply when selecting an optimal treatment for overweight in youth.…”

The Management of Metabolically Unhealthy Obesity

“…비만 치료를 위한 운동처방의 주된 목적은 체중감량 에 있지만, 실질적으로는 체지방량의 감소와 더불어 제 지방량의 유지 및 증가 또한 중요하다 [8][9][10]. 비만 환 자를 위해서는 적절한 에너지 소비와 상해 예방을 위해 운동 강도보다는 운동 시간을 증가시키는데 보다 중점 을 두는 것이 효과적이다.…”