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. 2017 Dec;6(4):454-461.
doi: 10.1016/j.jshs.2016.04.007. Epub 2016 Apr 21.

What is the most effective exercise protocol to improve cardiovascular fitness in overweight and obese subjects?

Eliane Aparecida Castro  1   2 , Ana Belén Peinado  1   2 , Pedro Jose Benito  1   2 , Mercedes Galindo  3 , Marcela González-Gross  1   4 , Rocío Cupeiro  1   2 ; PRONAF Study Group
Affiliations

What is the most effective exercise protocol to improve cardiovascular fitness in overweight and obese subjects?

Eliane Aparecida Castro et al. J Sport Health Sci. 2017 Dec.

Abstract

Background: Increased peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) can reduce cardiovascular risks associated with obesity. Our aim was to analyze the effect of a weight loss program on cardiovascular fitness in overweight (W) and obese (O) subjects.

Methods: One hundred and sixty-seven subjects (77 males and 90 females), aged 18-50 years, performed a modified Bruce protocol before (pre) and after (post) a weight loss program of 24 weeks. This program combined physical training (strength, S; endurance, E; combined strength + endurance, SE; or physical activity recommendation, PA) 3 times per week, with a 25%-30% caloric restriction diet.

Results: VO2peak improved in overweight and obese males (pre and post values in L/min, respectively; W = 3.2 ± 0.6 vs. 3.7 ± 0.5, p < 0.001; O = 3.6 ± 0.6 vs. 3.8 ± 0.6, p = 0.013) as well as in overweight females (2.0 ± 0.3 vs. 2.3 ± 0.4, p < 0.001). VO2peak in the first ventilatory threshold (VT1) increased for all 4 interventions in males (p < 0.05), except for S in the obese group (1.6 ± 0.2 vs. 1.7 ± 0.3, p = 0.141). In females, it increased in E (0.9 ± 0.2 vs. 1.4 ± 0.3, p < 0.001), SE (0.9 ± 0.2 vs. 1.2 ± 0.4, p = 0.003), and PA (0.9 ± 0.1 vs. 1.2 ± 0.2, p = 0.006) in overweight groups. Time-to-exhaustion improved in all subjects except for females in PA group (15.7 ± 0.3 min vs. 15.9 ± 0.3 min, p = 0.495).

Conclusion: Our results suggest that all methods, including the recommendation of physical activity, can improve cardiovascular fitness in overweight subjects and obese males.

Keywords: Combined training; Endurance training; Obesity; Oxygen consumption; Physical activity; Strength training; Ventilatory threshold.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Timeline of the study. E = endurance training group; HHR = heart rate reserve; PA = physical activity recommendations group; RM = repetitions maximum; S = strength training group; SE = combined strength and endurance training group.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Time-to-exhaustion delta in minutes. Error bars represent one standard error of the mean. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.001, baseline–post differences; #p < 0.05, compared with PA group in female. E = endurance training group; PA = physical activity recommendation group; S = strength training group; SE = combined strength + endurance training group.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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