Loss of abdominal fat and metabolic response to exercise training in obese women

Abstract

Numerous studies have shown that a high accumulation of abdominal fat is associated with metabolic complications and with an increased risk of coronary heart disease. The present study examined the effects of changes in body fatness and in the level of abdominal fat on metabolic variables in a sample of 13 obese premenopausal women, aged 38.8 +/- 5.3 (SD) yr. Women exercised for 90 min at approximately 55% of maximal aerobic power (VO2 max) four to five times a week for a period of 14 mo. The training program induced a significant increase in VO2 max and a mean reduction in body fat mass of 4.6 kg (P less than 0.01), with no change in fat-free mass. Measurement of adipose tissue areas by computed tomography indicated a greater loss of abdominal fat compared with midthigh adipose tissue (P less than 0.05). The training program also produced significant reductions in the insulinogenic index measured during an oral glucose tolerance test and in plasma cholesterol (Chol), low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-Chol, and apolipoprotein (apo) B levels (P less than 0.05). Training also significantly increased plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-apo A-I and HDL2-Chol levels and decreased plasma HDL3-Chol concentration (P less than 0.05). Whereas no change in postheparin plasma lipoprotein lipase activity was noted, a significant decrease in postheparin plasma hepatic triglyceride lipase activity was observed after training (P less than 0.005). Metabolic responses were not correlated with changes in VO2 max but were significantly correlated with the reduction in body fat mass and/or with the loss of deep abdominal fat.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The effects of high-intensity intermittent exercise training on fat loss and fasting insulin levels of young women

“…20 With regard to SSE, the FM and aerobic fitness response was typical of that reported in the literature in that there were no significant changes in TBM, FM or trunk fat, but there was a significant increase in aerobic fitness. [26][27][28][29][30][31][32] Central adiposity diminished in the HIIE compared to the SSE and CONT groups. The HIIE group decreased central abdominal fat by 9.5%, in contrast to the SSE group, which had a 10.5% increase.…”

“…This is an important finding because of the effect of excess visceral fat on metabolic dysfunction. 26,33,34 Although these changes may appear minor in these young women, their central abdominal FM before the intervention was relatively small (mean ¼ 1.27 kg). Thus, it is likely that HIIE would have an even greater fat-reducing effect on individuals possessing larger abdominal fat stores.…”

Distribuição de gordura corporal, pressão arterial e níveis de lipídios-lipoproteínas plasmáticas

“…Estudos prévios têm verificado que a realização de exercícios físicos predominantemente aeróbicos, poderão induzir a maior mobilização da gordura localizada na região abdominal, notadamente entre os homens 27 , além de estabelecer mecanismos de proteção contra o maior acúmulo de gordura visceral, próprio das idades mais avançadas 28 . Essa adaptação favorável do perfil de adiposidade pode ser atribuída a variação regional associada às atividades metabólicas do tecido adiposo, traduzida por atividades lipolíticas mais elevadas nos depósitos de gordura da região central do corpo em comparação com as extremidades.…”

Even Low-Intensity and Low-Volume Exercise Training May Improve Insulin Resistance in the Elderly

“…It is well known that moderate to high intensity exercise training ameliorates these risk factors for CHD. Additionally, the improvements in blood lipids and insulin resistance are associated with loss of body weight and/or body fat (2)(3)(4)(5). By contrast, the improvements in physical fitness achieved by exercise training are not necessarily associated with a reduction in these risk factors (2)(3)(4).…”

“…In the present study, the VO2 peak did not significantly increase after training on average ( F i g u r e 2 . Re l a t i o n s h i p s b e t we e n r e l a t i v e c h a n g e i n HOMA-I R a n d r e l a t i v e c h a n g e i n VO2 p e a k i n t h r e e g r o u p s s t r a t i f i e d o n t h e b a s i s o f b a s e l i n e a e r o b i c f i t n e s s ( L o w, Mi d d l e , Hi g h -VO2 p e a k ity (2,3,5). However, the subjects in those studies were obese or overweight (BMI>25).…”