Effect of a mixed 6-week training period on body fat in moderately to severely obese patients, without caloric restriction, with a 3-month follow-up

Abstract

Obesity, being a world epidemic, is responsible for an increased risk of mortality and various comorbidities. The loss of weight, particularly of body fat, would lower this risk. This is why we have developed an aerobic, resistance and interval training program over a 6-week period whose main goal is to reduce body fat by 5%. We have assessed the evolution of body fat by bioelectrical impedance analysis, of VO 2 peak by a cardiac stress test on a cycle ergometer, of leg muscular strength, of quality of life by the SF-36 health survey, in 20 sedentary, moderately to severely obese patients between the age of 18 and 70 years old, before and after a 6-week training program mixing aerobic, resistance and interval training exercises for 45 minutes, twice daily and 5 days per week, with a food rebalancing with normocaloric diet. A follow at 3 months was performed on body fat. After the 6-week training program the body fat decreases of 8,2 ± 3,9%, VO 2 peak increases of 14,2 ± 16,3%. Muscular strength increases of 15,8 ± 13% and quality of life increases of 80,7 ± 70%. The follow-up shows a decrease of body fat at 3 months. In patients with moderate to severe obesity, a mixed 6-week training program, without hypocaloric diet leads to a significant decline in body fat as well as an increase in VO 2 peak , muscular strength and quality of life.