The effects of aerobic and resistance exercises in obese women.

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.