Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of present study was to compare the effects of different aerobic exercise intensities and energy expenditures on the body composition of sedentary obese college students in Taiwan.MethodsForty-eight obese participants [body mass index (BMI) ≥ 27 kg/m2, age 18–26 years] were randomized into four equal groups (n = 12): light-intensity training group (LITG), 40%–50% heart rate reserve (HRR); middle-intensity training group (MITG), 50%–70% HRR; high-intensity training group (HITG), 70%–80% HRR; and control group (CG). The aerobic exercise training program was conducted for 60 min per day on a treadmill 3 days per week for 12 weeks. All participant anthropometric data, blood biochemical parameters, and health-related physical fitness components were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks.ResultsAt baseline, the anthropometric indices did not differ significantly among the four groups (p > 0.05). After 12-week exercise intervention, the HITG and MITG had significantly more changes in body weight, waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) than the LITG. The changes in BMI and body fat percentage differed among all four groups (p < 0.05).ConclusionsA 12-week high-intensity exercise intervention with high energy expenditure can considerably reduce body weight, body fat, WC, WHR, and WHtR, whereas a light-intensity exercise intervention can significantly reduce body weight and body fat.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials TPECTR09831410900, registered on 24th Dec 2009.
Highlights
The aim of present study was to compare the effects of different aerobic exercise intensities and energy expenditures on the body composition of sedentary obese college students in Taiwan
All data are expressed as means ± standard errors (SEs) or frequency percentages (%).We considered a significance level of p < 0.05 to reject the null hypothesis
The changes in cardiorespiratory endurance index (CEI) were negatively associated with changes in body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), %BF, fat mass, and fat-free mass (p < 0.05). In this randomized controlled trial, we examined the effect of aerobic exercise at three intensities on body weight and body fat of obese individuals
Summary
The aim of present study was to compare the effects of different aerobic exercise intensities and energy expenditures on the body composition of sedentary obese college students in Taiwan. Based on data from the three waves of the Nutrition and Health Surveys in Taiwan (NAHSIT), which occurred in 1993–1966, 2005– 2008, and 2013–2014, Chang et al [6] noted that the prevalence of adult obesity has drastically increased in recent decades from 11.8% to 17.9% to 22.1%, respectively. Two earlier surveys were conducted using multiple stage sampling among Taiwanese college students, wherein the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 31.4% in men and 16.4% in women [7, 8]. Considering the public health, weight loss is effective for reducing chronic disease risk [10]
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