Effects of resistance training with and without post-exercise aerobic activity on strength and body composition according to individual goals

Research purpose. This study aims to compare anthropometric characteristics between elite and novice bodybuilders. Materials and methods. Twenty bodybuilders consisted of 10 elites and 10 novices were recruited. Percent body fat, segmental lean mass, and segmental fat mass were measured by a bioelectrical impedance analysis device. Other measure includes the circumference of body segment and body height. Results. Results of the study indicated that significant differences were found in terms of upper arm (flexed) circumference, upper arm circumference, and chest circumference, with the elite, were bigger than the novice. Elite bodybuilders also had significantly lower body fat percentage, with a better segmental lean mass of the right arm, left arm, and trunk. Interestingly neck, arm, waist, hip, thigh, and calf circumferences were not significantly different between groups. Similar insignificant differences were also found in body mass index, a segmental lean mass of right leg and left leg, a segmental fat mass of left and right arm, trunk, and left and right leg. With regards specifically to the group of bodybuilders that participated in this study, the non-significant differences variables may indicate areas that can be improved in terms of training in both elite and novice. The variables with significant differences may indicate the area that may have been over-emphasized by the elite group, which may also contribute to their better (winning) performance. Conclusions. In a conclusion, the results also correspond well with bodybuilding judging criteria, where one of them such as size (circumference) may be similar, but bodybuilders with lean and well-defined bodies will be in the winning group.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of creatine supplementation and periodized strength training on body composition, and maximal dynamic strength during 8 weeks. 27 men were selected, divided into three groups: placebo, creatine loading supplementation and low-dose creatine supplementation groups. The training was composed by three weekly sessions. Body mass (kg), fat-free mass (kg), fat mass (kg) body fat percentage (%), and maximal dynamic strength in bench press, squat, lat pulldown, leg curl, barbell arm curl, seated calf raises, military press, and triceps pulley were measured. There was an percentage increases in body mass and lean body mass for all groups, but no difference between groups. Significant increase in maximal strength in back lat pull down, arm curl and triceps pushdown was observed, without differences between groups. These data suggest the both modes of creatine supplementation associated with strength training promote positive adaptations in body composition and maximal dynamic strength.

The accuracy of different bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) devices for assessing body composition in children with obesity is unclear. We determined the relative accuracy of 2 BIA devices compared to dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in obese and severely obese children. We measured body composition in a cross-sectional study of 78 obese children by a handheld single frequency tetrapolar BIA device (Omron), a stationary multifrequency octopolar BIA device (InBody 370) and DXA. Intermethod agreement was assessed by intraclass correlations, paired t tests, and Bland-Altman analyses. Participants (37% female, age 14.8 ± 2.7 years) had mean (±standard deviation) body mass index of 36.7 ± 7.5 kg/m, body fat percentage of 46.4% ± 5.2%, and appendicular lean mass of 22.5 ± 6.0 kg by DXA. Intraclass correlations with DXA for body fat percentage were 0.39 and 0.87 for single frequency tetrapolar and multifrequency octopolar BIA devices, respectively. The single frequency tetrapolar BIA underestimated body fat percentage by 5.5% ± 2.9% (P < 0.0001). Differences between the multifrequency octopolar BIA and DXA for body fat percentage (-1.1% ± 2.8%) and appendicular lean mass (-0.3 ± 1.4 kg) were small, and 95% limits of agreement were approximately ±5%. BIA machines vary in relative accuracy in measuring body composition in children who are obese and severely obese. The multifrequency octopolar BIA device accurately estimated body fat percentage and appendicular lean mass relative to DXA and has the advantage of point of care performance.

COMPARISON OF BODY FAT PERCENTAGES FROM HAND-HELD VS STAND-ON BIOELECRTICAL IMPEDANCE ANALYSIS DEVICES K.D. Oldham, W. Papin, S. G. Owens, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, e-mail: [email protected] Body composition analysis in non-research settings often utilizes bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Commercial BIA devices differ from one another in a variety of ways including body segments utilized for analysis, electrode contact points, body fat prediction equations, and cost. Hence, judging the reliability, validity, and cost effectiveness of BIA devices can be a challenge. PURPOSE To compare estimates of percent body fat obtained from two commercial BIA devices: a relatively expensive, lower extremity, stand-on device and a relatively inexpensive, upper extremity, hand-held device. METHODS Participants were 74 male and female volunteer subjects (mean ± SD, age: 38 ± 16 y; body mass: 72.9 ± 13.1 kg). Percent body fat was determined, in random order and in duplicate, using a stand-on BIA device and a hand-held BIA device. The Bland-Altman procedure for comparing methods of measurement was applied to the data. A priori it was determined that the agreement between the two devices would be acceptable for non-research purposes if the “limits of agreement” (mean difference between methods ± 2SD) did not exceed ± 8 percent. RESULTS Both BIA devices showed high reliability (r > 0.99). In the percent body fat comparison, the bias (mean difference in percent body fat between the two BIA devices) was −1.03 (lower values from hand-held device) and the SD of the differences was 5.28. The limits of agreement extended from −11.59 to + 9.53 percent, and, therefore, exceeded the a priori limits of ± 8 percent. CONCLUSION Although both BIA devices showed good reliability, the devices did not agree sufficiently to be used interchangeably. Main advantages of the hand-held device included convenience (shoes and socks do not need to be removed; eye-level display) and lower cost, both of which may be important considerations in wellness/fitness center environments.

Recently, high intensity (80% of 1 RM) resistance exercise (RE), in particular, has been shown to elicit post exercise hypotension (PEH) in normotensive individuals during separate upper and lower body training sessions (Simoes et al., 2004). It remains unclear whether PEH occurs in resistance trained (T) and untrained (UT) normotensive. PURPOSE To examine heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) response during and after combined upper and lower body RE in resistance trained (continuous training for at least 6 weeks) and untrained (UT) normotensives. METHODS After 1 RM determination for bench press (BPr), leg press (LP), shoulder press, biceps curl, triceps pushdown (TP), lat pulldown, and leg curl (LC), ten T and ten UT college aged volunteers performed two sets of 8 to 10 RM at 75% of 1RM for each exercise in the above order. Two minutes rest was given between sets and different exercises with HR and BP recorded after the second set for upper body (BPr), lower body (LP) and the smaller accessory muscle groups (TP and LC). HR and BP were also recorded in the seated position at 10-minute intervals during recovery for 1 hour. RESULTS Trained subjects had a significantly (p<.05) greater 1 RM compared to UT for each of the exercises with the greatest differences in the lower extremity (LP: 538.6 ± 154.3 vs. 400.1 ± 78.4 lb) and the smallest difference in the triceps (TP: 104.5 ± 26.1 vs. 80.5 ± 16.4 lb). HR responses were not significantly (p>.05) different between UT and T groups for any of the measurement times. The highest HR occurred following LP in UT (159 ±11.1 bpm) and TP (161.2 ± 10.9 bpm) in the T. HR response for LP in T was 158 ± 16.6 bpm. Systolic BP was not significantly (p>.05) different for any of the measurement times between groups although within groups it was significantly (p<.05) different in response to the exercises (LP vs. LC for T: 142 ± 19.6 vs 117.2 ± 15.8 mmHg; LP vs. BP for UT: 145 ± 15.8 vs. 131.2 ± 10.8 mmHg). PEH was evident in both UT (mean ± SD =22 ± 6.6 mmHg drop in SBP from rest, n=7) and T (mean ± SD =24 ± 9.5 mmHg drop from rest, n=4). CONCLUSIONS Based on these results, PEH appears more common in UT than trained but still occurs in the trained. We speculate that short rest periods repeated over the course of a resistance training program contribute to PEH due to compromised vasoregulation.

Objectives: To determine the frequency of normal weight and overweight schoolchildren who have deficiency of vitamin A and to study the relationship between serum retinol concentrations and body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage and waist circumference of group normal weight and overweight children. Methods: Cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study carried out with schoolchildren aged 8 to 10 years old from public schools in Uberaba (MG). The sample consisted of eighty students matched for age and sex, being forty eutrophic schoolchildren and forty with overweight. Results: It was observed that 25% of students were overweight and 20% of normal weight children presents serum retinol disabled. There was no significant difference between the mean serum retinol concentrations in the eutrophic schoolchildren group and overweight group. No significant correlations were observed between serum concentrations and BMI, waist circumference and body fat percentage measured by bioelectrical impedance in both groups. Conclusion: The results show a high prevalence of deficient serum retinol, which are not related to body fat percentage and waist circumference measurement, in two groups of healthy school children, a eutrophic and another group, overweight.

Nowadays, the Waist-Hip Ratio is considered one of the most important indices in predicting the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The usual method for calculating this index is by measuring the waist and hip circumferences with a measuring tape. However, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) devices are also capable of calculating this ratio. Hence, the goal of this study was to calculate this ratio with the BIA device and to compare it with the manual method done with measuring tape. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 270 individuals attending the Sports Medicine Department of Taleghani Hospital. Height, weight, waist and hip circumference were measured, and the body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) were calculated. Using the BIA technique, the body fat percentage (BFP) and WHR were calculated. The absolute and difference percentage between the values calculated by the device and measuring tape were calculated and the determinant factors of this difference were examined. The mean absolute difference between the two methods was 0.054 and the difference percentage was 0.064. Kappa’s correlation coefficient between the two variables was 0.024, which indicates poor correlation between the findings of the two methods. Based on linear regression analysis, BFP, height, BMI, and total body water (TBW) significantly affected the difference percentage. On the contrary, age, waist circumference, hip circumference, and absolute body fat did not have such an effect. The absolute difference was 0.069 in women and 0.05 in men, which was statistically significant (p = 0.025). Taking the manual waist-hip ratio method as the gold standard, the BIA method lacks adequate accuracy. Many variables such as, gender, BFP, TBW, BMI and height affect the accuracy of this method. Hence, until this technique is modified based on the aforementioned variables, we recommend avoiding the application of this method for WHR calculation.

We determined the effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplementation during resistance training. Seventy-six subjects were randomized to receive CLA (5 g.d(-1)) or placebo (PLA) for 7 wk while resistance training 3 d.wk(-1). Seventeen subjects crossed over to the opposite group for an additional 7 wk. Measurements at baseline, 7 wk, and 14 wk (for subjects in the crossover study) included body composition, muscle thickness of the elbow flexors and knee extensors, resting metabolic rate (RMR), bench and leg press strength, knee extension torque, and urinary markers of myofibrillar degradation (3-methylhistidine (3MH) and bone resorption (cross-linked N-telopeptides (Ntx)). After 7 wk the CLA group had greater increases in lean tissue mass (LTM) (+1.4 vs +0.2 kg; P < 0.05), greater losses of fat mass (-0.8 vs +0.4 kg; P < 0.05), and a smaller increase in 3MH (-0.1 vs + 1.3 micromol.kg LTM.d(-1); P < 0.05) compared with PLA. Changes between groups were similar for all other measurements, except for a greater increase in bench press strength for males on CLA (P < 0.05). In the crossover study subjects had minimal changes in body composition, but smaller increases in 3MH (-1.2 vs +2.2 micromol.kg LTM.d(-1); P < 0.01) and NTx (-4.8 vs +7.3 nmol.kg(-1) LTM.d(-1); P < 0.01) while on CLA versus PLA. Supplementation with CLA during resistance training results in relatively small changes in body composition accompanied by a lessening of the catabolic effect of training on muscle protein.

Comparing the effects of 25-minute electrical muscle stimulation vs. 90-minute full-body resistance training on body composition and strength: A 20-week intervention

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between body composition measures derived from air displacement plethysmography (BodPod) and several field methods of body composition in a population of National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) athletes. METHODS: Twenty-three NAIA athletes visited the lab for a single visit. Percent body fat and lean mass were assessed in all subjects using the BodPod (BP), handheld bioelectrical impedance analysis (HBIA), standing bioelectrical impedance analysis (SBIA), and skinfolds using the 3-site Jackson and Pollack equation. Body mass index (BMI), upper arm circumference (AC), waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference (HC) were also assessed. Relationships between percent body fat as assessed by BP and all field non-lean mass assessments as well as relationships between BP lean mass and all field non-percent body fat assessments were examined using Spearman’s correlation coefficients. RESULTS: Percent body fat (19.1 + 8.4 %) as assessed by BP was significantly related to BMI (29 + 8 kg/m2; r =0.515; p = 0.012), percent body fat calculated from skinfolds (14 + 7 %; r = 0.855; p < 0.001), percent body fat from HBIA (17.9 + 6.2 %; r = 0.855; p < 0.001), percent body fat from SBIA (14.1 + 3.7 %; r = 0.748; p < 0.001), AC (33 + 4 cm; r = 0.563; p = 0.005), WC (90 + 10 cm; r = 0.720; p < 0.001), and HC (102 + 18 cm; r = 0.788; p < 0.001). Lean mass as assessed by BP (73.3 + 8.7 kg) was significantly related to BMI (29 + 8 kg/m2; r = 0.483; p = 0.020), lean mass calculated from skinfolds (76 + 10 kg; r = 0.817; p < 0.001), lean mass from HBIA (72.7 + 8.6 kg; r = 0.851; p < 0.001), lean mass from SBIA (76.5 + 11.7 kg; r = 0.802; p < 0.001), AC (33 + 4 kg; r = 0.596; p = 0.003), WC (90 + 10 kg; r = 0.496; p = 0.016), and HC (102 + 18 kg; r = 0.570; p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Skinfolds, HBIA, and SBIA appear to be most related to both percent body fat and lean mass in this population of NAIA athletes. Thus, when testing these athletes in a field setting, these tests could be performed to provide useful body composition information. If it were not possible to perform these tests, BMI, UAC, WC, and HC could also be used although these tests did not correlate as strongly as did skinfolds, HBIA, and SBIA with BP assessments.

Aging, in conjunction with decreasing physical activity, is associated with a range of health problems. Simple, low-maintenance, population-based means of promoting activity to counteract the age-associated decline are required. We therefore assessed the effect of pedometry and buddy support to increase physical activity. We undertook a clustered randomized trial (HKCTR-346) of 24 community centers involving 399 older Chinese participants (≥ 60 yr). Centers were randomly allocated to 1) pedometry and buddy, 2) pedometry and no buddy, 3) no pedometry and buddy, and 4) no pedometry and no buddy with a 2 × 2 factorial design. The trial simultaneously tested the individual and combined effects of the interventions. The intervention groups also received monthly organized group activities to provide encouragement and support. Outcome measures were assessed at 6 and 12 months, including physical fitness and activity and cardiovascular disease risk factors (anthropometry and blood pressure). From the 24 centers, 356 volunteers (89.2%) completed the study. Those receiving the interventions had higher mean physical activity levels at 12 months of 1820 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1360-2290) and 1260 (95% CI = 780-1740) MET·min·wk(-1), respectively relative to the decrease in the control groups. The buddy peer support intervention significantly improved mean aerobic fitness (12% [95% CI = 4%-21%]) and reduced both body fat (-0.6% [95% CI = -1.1% to 0.0%]) and time to complete the 2.5-m get-up-and-go test (-0.27 [95% CI = -0.53 to -0.01] s). No other improvements in the cardiovascular disease risk factors were observed. The combination of motivational tools was no better than the individual interventions. Both motivational interventions increased physical activity levels, and the buddy style improved fitness. These tools could be useful adjuncts in the prevention of obesity and age-related complications.

To compare the consistency in the measurement of percentage of body fat (PBF) by multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (MF-BIA) and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in overweight and obese adults in China, and provide evidence for the accurate MF-BIA application in China. A total of 1 323 overweight/obese adults aged 22-55 years were recruited in this study. All the subjects received PBF measurement by both MF-BIA and DXA. The consistency in PBF measurement by MF-BIA and DXA was evaluated by using interclass correlation coefficients (ICC), then the correction prediction models was established. The differences in PBF measurement in male subjects and female subjects between MF-BIA and DXA were statistical significant (all P < 0.01), the mean difference values were -6.5% for overweight males and -4.3% for obese males, -2.5% for overweight females and 0.5% for obese females, respectively. The difference in ICC of PBF between MF-BIA and DXA measurement were statistically significant in all subgroups (P < 0.01). The ICC was 0.746 for overweight males, 0.807 for obese males, 0.628 for overweight females and 0.674 for obese females, respectively. The correction prediction models included: PBF (DXA) = 13.425 + 0.719 × PBF (MF-BIA) for overweight males; PBF (DXA) = 12.572 + 0.741 × PBF (MF-BIA) for obese males; PBF (DXA) = 9.785 + 0.802 × PBF (MF-BIA) for overweight females; PBF (DXA) = 20.348 + 0.532 × PBF (MF-BIA) for obese females. The consistency in PBF measurement in overweight/obese adults by MF-BIA and DXA was poor in China. Correction should be conducted when MF-BIA is used in the measurement of PBF.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence rate of adult sarcopenic obesity and discuss its predisposing factors. Methods: A total of 14,608 participants including 7521 men and 7087 women aged 18-93 years were enrolled in this study. The definition of sarcopenia was based on appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) standards (≤7.0 kg/m2 for men and ≤5.7 grams/m2 for women). The definition of obesity followed percent body fat (PBF) ≥25% for men and ≥35% for women. Sarcopenic obesity was defined as the combination of sarcopenia and obesity diagnosis. Risk factors for the onset of sarcopenic obesity were analyzed by logistic regression analysis, followed by diagnostic value assessment. Results: There were 496 cases of sarcopenic obesity, including 308 male patients and 188 female patients. The overall prevalence rate was 3.4%, with 4.10% for men and 2.65% for women. Compared with nonsarcogenic obesity group, the subjects with sarcogenic obesity showed shorter height and circumference of limbs, arm muscle, neck, chest, waist and hip, lighter weight, lower body mass index (BMI), bone mineral content (BMC), skeletal muscle mass, basal metabolic rate (BMR), body cell mass, fitness score and ASMI, and higher body fat mass, PBF, waist-hip ratio (WHR), visceral fat area (VFA), extracellular fluid/total body fat, and extracellular water/total body water (ECW/TBW; P < 0.01). Based on logistic regression analysis, BMI, BMC, PBF, WHR, BMR, VFA, fitness score, lean balance trunk, lean balance left leg, ASMI, ECW/TBW and the circumference of left arm, left leg, arm muscle, chest waist and hip were considered as risk factors for sarcogenic obesity (P < 0.05). After receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis of basic condition, muscle mass, and limb condition, ASMI [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.75] showed relatively high diagnostic value for adult sarcopenic obesity; other indicators (AUC <0.75) showed moderate diagnostic value for adult sarcopenic obesity, except for fitness score. According to joint ROC analysis, combination of BMC, PBF, VFA, and ASMI (AUC = 0.78) showed high diagnostic value for adult sarcopenic obesity. ASMI was correlated with BMI (r = 0.246, P < 0.001), BMC (r = 0.798, P < 0.001), WHR (r = 0.197, P < 0.001), BMR (r = 0.932, P < 0.001), PBF (r = -0.761, P < 0.001), and VFA (r = -0.530, P < 0.001). In adult patients with sarcopenic obesity, a decrease in ASMI indicators may be accompanied by a decrease in BMI, BMC, WHR, and BMR as well as an increase in PBF and VFA. Conclusion: The prevalence rate of adult sarcopenic obesity was 3.40%. ASMI was closely correlated with BMI, BMC, PBF, WHR, BMR, and VFA, which may serve as early indicators in the diagnosis of adult sarcopenic obesity.

The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of Partner's Improvisational Resistance Training (PIRT) on muscular strength, body circumference, and body fat percentage in 10 female college-age dancers in comparison with 8 female dancers in a control group. The PIRT program, based on the concepts of manual resistance training, is the application of contact improvisation in a systematic strength development program, which proposes a way of contextualizing muscular strength development within the dance class. The program lasted 8 weeks, meeting 3 times weekly for 60-minute sessions. The muscular strength pre- and posttests included 1-repetition maximum (1RM) for leg extension, leg flexion, leg press, bench press, lat pulldown, back extension, and modified sit-up. Hydrostatic weighing for body composition and circumference measures on the waist, hip, shoulder, upper arm, and thigh were made pre- and posttest analyses. There were no significant pretest differences between the groups for age, height, body weight, body fat percentage, any of the circumference measures, or 5 of the 7 muscular strength measures. At posttest, neither group showed significant changes in total body weight, body fat percentage, or lean body weight. The experimental group showed significant decrements in the waist and hip circumference measures, and all other body circumference changes were nonsignificant. The experimental group showed significant changes from pretest to posttest for all seven 1RM strength measures and greater absolute and relative strength improvements in 5 measures compared with the control group. Thus, the 8-week PIRT program for female dancers was found effective in improving overall muscular strength and decreasing circumference in the waist-hip region, but it did not elicit significant changes in body composition.

Higher volume resistance training enhances whole-body muscle hypertrophy in postmenopausal and older females: A secondary analysis of systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials