The effects of aerobic and resistance exercises in obese women

Sarsan, Ayše
Ardič, Füsun
Özgen, Merih
Topuz, Oya
Sermez, Yurdaer

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Sarsan, Ardič, Sermez, Topuz)
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey (Sermez)

Address for correspondence: Füsun Ardič, 6078 sok. No: 13/5 Kinikli, 20070, Denizli, Turkey, e-mail: [email protected]

Received 23rd October 2005 returned for revisions 16th January 2006 revised manuscript accepted 23rd February 2006.

Clinical Rehabilitation 20(9):p 773-782, September 2006.

Objective

To compare the effects of aerobic and resistance exercise on weight, muscle strength, cardiovascular fitness, blood pressure and mood in obese women who were not on an energy-restricted diet.

Design

Randomized, prospective, controlled trial.

Setting

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University Hospital.

Subjects

Sixty obese women were assigned to one of three groups: aerobic exercise (n = 20), resistance exercise (n = 20) and control group (n = 20).

Interventions

The aerobic exercise group performed both walking and leg cycle exercise with increasing duration and frequency. The resistance exercise group performed progressive weight-resistance exercises for the upper and lower body.

Main outcome measures

Before and after a 12-week period, all subjects were evaluated by anthropometric measurement, rating of mood, cardiorespiratory capacity and maximum strength of trained muscles.

Results

After a 12-week training period, subjects in the resistance group showed significant improvement in one-repetition maximum test of hip abductors (7.95 ± 3.58 kg), quadriceps (14 ± 7.18 kg), biceps (3.37 ± 2.84 kg) and pectorals (8.75 ± 5.09 kg) compared with those in the control group (P < 0.001). Vo₂ max increased (0.51 ± 0.40) and Beck Depression Scale scores decreased (−5.40 ± 4.27) in the aerobic exercise group compared with the control group, significantly (P < 0.001). Only in hip abductor muscle strength was there a significant increase in the resistance exercise group compared with the aerobic exercise group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Both aerobic exercise and resistance exercise resulted in improved performance and exercise capacity in obese women. While aerobic exercise appeared to be beneficial with regard to improving depressive symptoms and maximum oxygen consumption, resistance exercise was beneficial in increasing muscle strength.