Walk-Run Transition Speed Training as an Efficient Exercise Adjunct to Dietary Restriction in the Management of Obesity: A Prospective Intervention Pilot Study

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to test the utility of preferred walk-run transition speed (WRTS) in exercise training adjunct to dietary restriction for obesity management in healthy obese women. Materials and Methods: 37 obese women (age: 35 ± 9 years, body mass index (BMI): 34.9 ± 4.6 kg/m²) were assigned to an intervention pilot study during 6 months of restricted diet alone (RD) followed by 6 months of RD combined with WRTS (RD and WRTS) as a training exercise. Body mass, waist circumference (WC), fat mass (FM), fat free mass (FFM), active cell mass (ACM), fasting glucose, serum lipids (triacylglycerol (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), apo-lipoproteins A1 (ApoA1) and B (ApoB)], leptin and insulin concentrations, and HOMA-IR were assessed at baseline (T0), at the end of the RD alone (T1), and at the end of the RD and WRTS programme (T2). Results: Mean weight loss was 8.6 ± 4.9 kg and 2.2 ± 2.9 kg for (T0-T1) and (T1-T2), respectively. Significant BMI and WC reductions were reported at T1 and T2. FM decreased significantly both with RD and with RD and WRTS training whereas FFM and ACM increased with RD and WRTS training only. TG decreased significantly with the two phases of the programme. A significant increase in HDL-C, and a decrease in LDL-C and TC/HDL-C ratio were noticed with RD and WRTS training. Heart rate monitored in training improved significantly after RD and WRTS training. A significant relationship (r = 0.542, p < 0.02) was demonstrated between reductions in serum leptin and insulin concentrations observed with both RD and WRTS training. Conclusion: The addition of WRTS training to RD promoted a greater reduction in body mass, WC, FM, leptin and insulin concentrations, improved metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors, and enhanced cardiovascular fitness.

Preconception diet or exercise intervention in obese fathers normalizes sperm microRNA profile and metabolic syndrome in female offspring

“…This is an important question, because in western societies, greater than 70% of reproductive-aged men are overweight or obese (e.g., 74% in the US) (15,44). Weight loss via diet and exercise interventions in obese men improves glucose control and insulin action (9), alters epigenetic marks (i.e., DNA methylation and microRNA) in their leucocytes (41,50), and also improves their reproductive function (i.e., sexual function, hormone profiles, and basic sperm parameters) (23). Previously, we have shown that diet and/or exercise interventions in founder male mice, which are obese due to a 10-wk high-fat diet, reduce their excess adiposity and improve their metabolic profile and sperm function and reverse the adverse outcomes for early embryo/fetal development (37,38,53).…”

Considerations for Initiating and Progressing Running Programs in Obese Individuals

“…If the individual is young, otherwise healthy, has no joint pain, and is willing to perform more aggressive exercise, other training options may exist. Walking at the “walk‐to‐run transition speed” (ie, the speed at which the person feels that he or she may prefer to start jogging) combined with dietary restrictions may help provide a high metabolic stimulus with less impact than running [24]. The walk‐to‐run transition speed can be found by having a person walk on a treadmill at increasing speeds until a threshold is reached at which running is more comfortable.…”

“…After repeating this procedure several times to ensure that the proper speed is found, this training speed can be the one used during exercise sessions. Starting with session durations from 30 minutes and working up to 60 minutes at this speed (3×/wk) is associated with ∼9% body weight loss and ∼6.3% fat loss during a 6‐month period [24]. A potential concern is that this exercise modality challenges the anterior tibial muscles and may feel uncomfortable.…”

“…A potential concern is that this exercise modality challenges the anterior tibial muscles and may feel uncomfortable. To reduce overuse injury in this muscle group with this type of fast walking and to maintain enjoyment of the activity [24], permit the patient to have at least 1 day of rest between sessions and moderate the number of consecutive days of exercise [1].…”

Contents of This Issue

“…The authors recommend tailoring interventions to the specific needs of subsamples of children. Beltaifa et al (Tunisia) [6] examined the utility of using the individually preferred walk-run transition speed (WRTS) in 37 healthy, sedentary, and obese women aged 20 to 50 years as an adjunct in an obesity management program. 26 completed both the initial 6-month-long individualized dietary restriction phase and the equally long dietary restriction supplemented with a WRTS training program.…”