Comparative effects of high-intensity versus moderate-intensity concurrent aerobic and resistance exercise training on obese females

BACKGROUND: The number of overweight and obese individuals in the global populace is estimated at approximately 1.4 billion people. The aim of the study was to examine the effectiveness of a four-week high-intensity versus moderate-intensity concurrent aerobic and resistance training program on improving cardiometabolic disease risk factors in obese females. METHODS: Females aged 19-26 years were divided into a four-week high-intensity concurrent aerobic and resistance training group (HI; N.=20), four-week moderate-intensity concurrent aerobic and resistance training group (MI; N.=20), and control group (CG; N.=20). The MI participants participated in a five times weekly concurrent aerobic and resistance training program. Each MI session followed 20 minutes of aerobic training at 60-70% HRmax and eight resistance training exercises performed for two to three sets at 10 to 12 repetitions. The HI participants participated in concurrent aerobic and resistance training three times weekly. Each HI session followed 20 minutes of aerobic training at 75-90% HRmax and eight resistance training exercises performed for three to four sets of eight to ten repetitions. The CG participants performed no exercise. RESULTS: HI training significantly improved body mass (BM) (P=0.034), BMI (P=0.050), WHR (P=0.031), RHR (P=0.012), RSBP (P=0.027), glucose (P=0.034) and TC (P=0.041). Body mass (P=0.038), %BF (P=0.045) and RDBP (P=0.022) were found to be significantly improved in the MI. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that a reduced training volume using HI concurrent aerobic and resistance training is more beneficial at improving cardiometabolic risk factors in obese females than MI concurrent aerobic and resistance training using more sessions per week.