Impact of different training modalities/intensities on cardiorespiratory fitness and anthropometry of women living with obesity

Oral Presentation B7.6

Authors

  • Mary E. Davis University College Dublin
  • Catherine Blake University College Dublin
  • Carla Perrotta University College Dublin
  • Caitriona Cunningham University College Dublin
  • Gráinne O'Donoghue University College Dublin

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.534

Keywords:

Obesity, Women, Exercise Training, Fitness, Anthropometry

Abstract

Background: Growing evidence suggests that improved cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) can largely attenuate the adverse effects of excessive adiposity. However, the most effective exercise prescription to improve CRF, anthropometry and other metabolic risk factors in women living with obesity remains unknown. Purpose: To assess the efficacy of different exercise interventions on these outcomes and determine the optimal exercise prescription to improve the metabolic health of this population. Methods: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published between January 1988 to October 2020 was conducted. The RCTs were screened using the inclusion criteria: 1) participants: women, aged 18 -65 years, with a BMI>30kg.m-2 without co-morbidities; 2) intervention: exercise; 3) comparison: non-intervention control; 4) outcomes: measures: CRF (VO2max), anthropometry (i.e. body weight, percentage body fat) and/or metabolic measures (i.e. blood pressure, cholesterol). Results: 20 RCTs with a total of 2062 participants were included. While the results show that any form of exercise is more effective than control, improvements in fitness and anthropometry are modest. Aerobic exercise (vigorous and moderate intensity) appeared most promising for improving fitness and body weight, while low-load resistance training resulted in the largest improvements in body fatness. Conclusions: In women living with obesity, aerobic exercise was consistently effective in improving fitness and anthropometrics. Though both resistance training and combined exercise interventions appear promising, more research is needed to evaluate their efficacy and determine an optimal exercise prescription for this population. Funding: Research funded by University College Dublin Centre for Translational Pain.

Published

2021-09-30

How to Cite

Davis, M., Blake, C., Perrotta, C., Cunningham, C., & O’Donoghue, G. (2021). Impact of different training modalities/intensities on cardiorespiratory fitness and anthropometry of women living with obesity: Oral Presentation B7.6. The Health & Fitness Journal of Canada, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.534