Effects of the Order of Physical Exercises on Body Composition, Physical Fitness, and Cardiometabolic Risk in Adolescents Participating in an Interdisciplinary Program Focusing on the Treatment of Obesity

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the order of physical exercises on body composition, physical fitness, and cardiometabolic risk in adolescents participating in an interdisciplinary program focusing on the treatment of obesity. The final 12-week analyses involved 33 female adolescents who were split into two groups of concurrent training (CT): resistance plus aerobic training and aerobic plus resistance training, with equalization performed in all physical exercises. The only difference between the two groups was the order in which the exercises were performed. The results showed reductions in fat mass, body fat, and waist circumference, as well as increases in musculoskeletal mass and resting metabolic rate ( p < 0.05) following the multiprofessional intervention period. However, no significant differences were observed in regard to body mass, body mass index, neck circumference, or arm circumference ( p > 0.05). Maximal isometric strength and maximal oxygen consumption showed significant increases after the intervention period ( p < 0.05). There were reductions in insulin, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoproteins ( p < 0.05), and an interaction within the resistance plus aerobic training group showed lower values for triglycerides when compared to itself ( p = 0.002). No difference was found in fasting glycemia for either group ( p > 0.05). It is worth noting that the equalization training variables presented no differences between the two groups ( p > 0.05). Based on these results, both CT methods were found to be effective in promoting health parameters in overweight and obese female adolescents, and triglyceride values decreased more in the resistance plus aerobic group. Future studies with larger samples and feeding control should be conducted to confirm or refute our findings.

Group Nutrition Counseling or Individualized Prescription for Women With Obesity? A Clinical Trial

“…Reducing body mass, BMI and body fat in overweight and obese people is essential to promote health improvement, thus decreasing the prevalence of chronic diseases in a population context (18,19). According to Swift et al (46), the inclusion of a physical training program in the treatment of obesity is fundamentally relevant to maintain long-term body mass control.…”

“…At the meetings, the following topics were addressed: (a) the intervention schedule; (b) the importance of maintaining a healthy body mass (use of behavioral nutrition); (c) the hunger odometer; (d) the food groups and their respective functions; (e) skills for challenging situations (use of nutritional and wellness coaching strategies); (f) reading food labels; (g) knowing the amount of sugar and fat in foods; (h) diet vs. light foods; (i) grocery shopping and meal planning; (j) mindfulness eating (cognitive behavioral therapy); and (k) how to transition to a new diet. In summary, the interventions were based on nutritional counseling and focused on changing eating behaviors adapted by Branco et al (18,19).…”

“…The participants were instructed to record all foods and beverages consumed, as well as their respective quantities and/or home measures, mealtimes, and places. They were also instructed to take notes right after each meal to avoid forgetting any of the information to be recorded (18,19). Macronutrients, saturated fat, monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, total energy intake, and dietary fiber were calculated using the Avanutri nutritional calculation software program (version 2.0, Avanutri Assessment Equipment Ltd., Três Rios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil).…”

“…Low-income families are more likely to choose unhealthy foods, which are industrialized and have high energy density contributing to increases in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference, as well as a low self-assessment of health conditions (17). Therefore, cost-effective strategies for health promotion in overweight and obese people are essential and need to be incorporated by the Brazilian public health system (18,19).…”

“…For these authors, food does not perform only the function of nurturing physiological needs, but it goes beyond and fulfills the function of psychological and social needs. Thus, other perspectives for obesity treatment have emerged and were tested by the scientific community (18,19).…”