Impact of Aerobic Exercise Plus Calorie Restriction Intervention on Resting Metabolic Rate, Substrate Oxidation and Metabolic Syndrome Components in Overweight and Obese Women

Abstract

Background. Despite the existence of several studies investigating the role of combined different diet regimes and different exercise programs on weight loss and related health benefits, the effect of a 6-month program including 12.5% calorie restriction (CR) with weekly 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise remains The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that 6-month CR and aerobic exercise would increase resting metabolic rate (RMR) and fat oxidation, and improve anthropometric and metabolic Methods. Twenty-six overweigh and obese women aged 44.2 ± 7.2 years were randomized to either control (CG) or experimental calorie restriction plus aerobic exercise group (EG) for six months. Changes in RMR, substrate oxidation, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure (BP), level of lipids and glucose were Results. RMR increased (P < 0.05) in EG, whereas no changes in substrate oxidation were observed. Combined calorie restriction and exercise intervention decreased (P < 0.05) BMI, waist circumference, systolic BP, triglycerides and glucose levels, and increased (P < 0.05) high-density lipoprotein cholesterol Conclusions. A 6-month combination of 12.5% calorie restriction and 150 weekly minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise is associated with effective and healthy weight loss strategy, which can prevent metabolic syndrome and improve resting metabolic rate.

Keywords: obesity, female, diet, aerobic training, health.