Influence on body composition, aerobic and strength performance of two different training programs in severely obese subjects at short and long term

PURPOSE To compare body composition, aerobic and strength performance changes induced by two short-term (3-week) body mass reduction programs entailing different exercise training protocols: an individualized, low-volume and moderate-intensity exercise training (IET) was compared with a non specific, high-volume, low-intensity exercise training (AET). METHODS 30 healthy severely obese in-patients (age: 33,9 ± 9,4yr; BMI: 40,5 ± 3,8kg/m2) were randomly divided in two groups of 15 subjects following two different exercise protocols consisting in: a) cardiovascular exercise (30min treadmill and cycle ergometer exercise at 50–60% of VO2max for IET, and 30 min of cycle ergometer or 40 min of walking for AET) and b) strength exercise (3 sets of 15 reps at 40–50–60% of 1MR for the upper and lower limb major muscle groups for IET, and 20 min indoor dynamic standing and floor exercise for AET). The weekly caloric consumption through aerobic exercise was comparable. Body composition, VO2max, maximal strength (MS) of upper and lower limbs were evaluated before and after the program. The 6 month follow up interview was included to assess body weight, physical activity ratio (PAR) and diet habits. RESULTS In both groups a significant and comparable weight loss and fat mass reduction were observed(p < 0,001). Only the IET group maintained the fat free mass while it was reduced in the AET group (p < 0,01). VO2max increased only in IET group (p < 0,001). MS was increased in both IET and AET subjects (p < 0,01), but improvements were greater in IET as compared with AET (p < 0,05). After 6 months, IET subjects reported a higher level of spontaneously chosen physical activity (p < 0,05) than AET subjects. CONCLUSION Results suggest that a customized exercise protocol offers more advantages in decreasing body weight, preserving muscle mass and in improving aerobic and strength performance than an non specific protocol