Effects of non-specific vs individualized exercise training protocols on aerobic, anaerobic and strength performance in severely obese subjects during a short-term body mass reduction program

The purpose of the present study was to compare aerobic, anaerobic and strength performance changes induced by two short-term (3-week) body mass reduction programs based on the same low-calory diet (1200-1500 kcal/day), nutritional education and psychological counseling, but entailing different exercise training protocols. An individualized, low-volume and moderate-intensity exercise training (IET) was contrasted with a non-specific, high-volume, low-intensity exercise training (NET). Thirty obese in-patients (12 males, 18 females; mean age±SD: 33.9±9.4 yr, range: 19-51yr; mean BMI: 40.5±3.8 kg/m2, range: 35.3-51.4 kg/m2) were randomly divided in two gender-matched groups of 15 subjects each undergoing a different exercise training protocol. Maximum oxygen uptake (V˙O2max) determined with a submaximal indirect test on a bicycle ergometer, lower limb maximum power output (W˙ max) determined with the jumping method, global motor capabilities determined by analysis of locomotor pattern during a short (8 m) running, maximum strength (1-RM) of upper and lower limb muscle groups determined with isotonic machines were tested before and after the program. Adherence to an individual exercise activity and maintenance of body weight (bw) loss were evaluated with a telephonic interview 6 months after the completion of the program. In both groups a significant (p<0.001) and comparable weight loss was observed (IET: –4.27%; NET: –4.17%). In both groups V˙O2max and W˙ max increased significantly (p<0.05-0.001) when expressed relatively to body mass, while in absolute terms they were significantly (p<0.001) improved only in IET group. 1-RM in all tested muscle groups was significantly increased in both IET and NET subjects (p<0.001-0.01), but improvements were significantly greater in IET as compared with NET (p<0.05-0.001). The analysis of locomotor pattern during the short running indicated that IET subjects significantly improved their global motor capabilities (p<0.05-0.001), while no change was observed in NET group. After 6 months, IET subjects reported a level of spontaneously chosen physical activity significantly higher (p<0.05) than NET subjects, displaying a trend of further decrease in bw. It was concluded that, although no difference in bw loss was appreciated between the two studied groups and significant improvements were found also in subjects performing NET protocol, the IET protocol offers better overall results in terms of muscle performance and physical fitness, with a possibly stronger motivation to subsequent exercise activity.