Weighted vest intervention during whole-body circuit training improves serum resistin, insulin resistance, and cardiometabolic risk factors in normal-weight obese women

Abstract

Background and objectives: Obesity is a well-known cause of cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders. Normal-weight obesity, where the body mass index(BMI) is within the normal range but the body fat percentage is high, also adversely impacts cardiovascular and metabolic health. This study explored the effects of whole-body circuit training using a weighted vest on serum resistin, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular disease risk factors in normal-weight obese women.

Methods: Thirty-six normal-weight obese women were divided into three groups: Weighted Vest Circuit Training(WVCT)(n = 12), Body Weight Circuit Training(BWCT)(n = 12), and a Control group(CON)(n = 12). Participants in the WVCT and BWCT groups engaged in whole-body circuit training three times per week for eight weeks. Serum resistin, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and insulin resistance were measured before and after the intervention.

Results: The study revealed significant and impactful findings. There were substantial improvements in body composition(Skeletal Muscle Mass: +7.5 %, p = 0.042, d = 0.80), Serum Resistin(-38.2 %, p = 0.001, d = 0.85), insulin resistance(HOMA-IR: 27.1 %, p < 0.001, d = 0.88), and a reduction in IL-6 levels(-25.4 %, p = 0.082, d = 0.60) in the WVCT group compared to the BWCT and CON groups. The WVCT group outperformed the other groups, demonstrating greater effectiveness in reducing cardiovascular risk factors.

Conclusion: These findings have significant implications for healthcare. Whole-body circuit training with weighted vests has effectively improved body composition, reduced serum resistin, and lowered insulin resistance, reducing cardiovascular disease risk factors in normal-weight obese women. These results could inform and enhance the treatment and management of obesity-related cardiovascular and metabolic disorders.

Keywords: Cardiometabolic; Circuit training; Normal-weight obesity; Resistin; Weighted vest.

Fig. 1

Research procedure.

Fig. 2

Training protocol.

Fig. 3

Changes in body composition. (A) Skeletal muscle mass; (B) percent body fat. (A) Comparison of changes in Skeletal Muscle Mass. ∗∗∗: p < .001; CON: Control; BWCT: Body Weight Circuit Training; WVCT: Weighted Vest Circuit Training. (B) Comparison of changes in Percent Body Fat. ∗: p < .05; #: WVCT vs CON; $: BWCT vs CON; CON: Control; BWCT: Body Weight Circuit Training; WVCT: Weighted Vest Circuit Training.

Fig. 4

Changes in exercise performance ability. (A) VO_2max; (B)Peak Power output. (A) Comparison of changes in VO_2max. ∗: p < .05; p < .001; #: WVCT vs CON; a: WVCT vs BWCT; CON: Control; BWCT: Body Weight Circuit Training; WVCT: Weighted Vest Circuit Training (B) Comparison of changes in Peak Power Output. ∗: p < .001; #: WVCT vs CON; CON: Control; BWCT: Body Weight Circuit Training; WVCT: Weighted Vest Circuit Training.

Fig. 5

Changes in Serum Resistin and Insulin Resistance. (A) Serum Resistin; (B) HOMA-IR. (A) Comparison of changes in Serum Resistin. ∗: p < .001; #: WVCT vs CON; $: BWCT vs CON; CON: Control; BWCT: Body Weight Circuit Training; WVCT: Weighted Vest Circuit Training. (B) Comparison of changes in HOMA-IR. ∗: p < .05; #: WVCT vs CON; $: BWCT vs CON; CON: Control; BWCT: Body Weight Circuit Training; WVCT: Weighted Vest Circuit Training.

Fig. 6

Changes in Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors. (A) Serum IL-6; (B) Serum hs-CRP. (A) Comparison of changes in Serum IL-6. ∗: p < .05; p < .001; #: WVCT vs CON; $: BWCT vs CON; CON: Control; BWCT: Body Weight Circuit Training; WVCT: Weighted Vest Circuit Training. (B) Comparison of changes in Serum hs-CRP. ∗: p < .05; #: WVCT vs CON; $: BWCT vs CON; CON: Control; BWCT: Body Weight Circuit Training; WVCT: Weighted Vest Circuit Training.