Effects over 12 weeks of different types and durations of exercise intervention on body composition of young women with obesity

Abstract

Summary Objective To provide basis for effective exercise intervention for young obese women through comparative study of three types of exercise intervention effects, namely, maximum fat oxidation intensity continuous aerobic training (FATmax AT), high intensity intermittent training (HIIT) and resistance training (RT), on body composition in different intervention durations. Methods Fifty-four eligible young obese women (BF% > 30%) aged 22.14 ± 1.32 years old were randomized to FATmax AT, HIIT or RT group. They respectively completed continuous aerobic, high intensity intermittent or anti-resistance exercise 3 sessions per week (45 min per session) for 12 weeks. Body fat rate (BF%), body fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM) and muscle mass (MM) were measured at pre-mid- and post-intervention. Results (1) Significant interactions of group × time on BF% (F = 18.35, P = 0.00), FM (F = 13.96, P = 0.00), FFM (F = 21.55, P = 0.00) and MM (F = 8.17, P = 0.00) were found, but there is no main effect in either group or time factors. (2) BF% and FM of the participants in FATmax AT, HIIT and RT group decreased significantly when compared to pre-exercise session (P Conclusions This study shows that 12 weeks of exercise training (3 × 45 min/wk) are an efficient weight-reducing procedure, either with FATmax AT, HIIT or RT. Not surprisingly, the heavier protocol (45 min HIIT) induces a slightly greater reduction in BF% and increases FFM, while RT is most helpful in the increase of MM. Therefore, HIIT can be selected for people who can endure high-intensity exercise and are in urgent need of fat loss. However, since the three protocols are not matched for energy expenditure, no general conclusion about the superiority of one protocol over another can be given. A further study investigating this comparison with matched levels of energy expenditure will help to elucidate this question.