Effects of Twisting Training on Middle-Aged Normal Weight Obese Women

Abstract

Normal weight obesity (NWO) is a new definition of obesity that in which a person’s body mass index (BMI) is normal ( 25) but percentage of body fat (%BF) exceeds 30%. Middle-aged women show a high prevalence of obesity with age until sarcopenia occurs. Thus, this study selected 13 middle-aged women (39 ± 3 yr) and divided them into two groups (NWO: n=6; Normal: n=7) based on %BF to investigate the effects of 8 weeks twisting training on physique, body composition, isokinetic strength, and physical fitness. Both groups participated in the same twisting training program 3 times per week. The objective of this study is examining the effect of twist training that stimulates mainly on lower body, storing a large fat proportion in middle-aged women. According to the results found in this study, the NWO group had significant improvement of waist circumference (WC), waist-hip ratio (WHR), muscle strength in flexion, extension of trunk, leg flexion, and muscle endurance in leg extension (p.05). However, there is no significant difference in other variables. In conclusion, twisting training had a positive effect on WC, WHR, and isokinetic strength, while no benefits were found in body composition and physical fitness.