The Effect of Aerobic Exercise with Calorie Restriction Program on Muscle Strength and Aerobic Capacity in Overweight and Obese Women

Abstract

Background. Few studies have demonstrated that different combinations of calorie restriction (CR) and aerobic exercise training improved aerobic capacity (Redman et al., 2007; Weiss et al., 2017) but did not change muscle strength (Weiss et al., 2017) in adult overweight subjects. However, the effect of six-month program combined of moderate intensity aerobic exercise (150 min/week) and 12.5% of CR on aerobic capacity and muscle strength remains unclear.

The aim of the present study was to estimate the effect of a six-month aerobic exercise with CR program on muscle strength and aerobic capacity in middle-aged, overweight and obese women.

Methods. Twenty-six overweight and obese sedentary women (36–56 years of age, body mass index (BMI) 25.0–37.5 kg/m²) were recruited and randomly allocated to either control or experimental aerobic exercise with CR program group for six-month period. Changes in handgrip strength, knee extension and flexion strength and aerobic capacity (VO₂peak) were measured.

Results. Absolute peak VO₂ (P < 0.001) and normalized peak VO₂ (P = 0.013) significantly increased after the aerobic exercise with CR program. A greater normalized peak VO₂ (P < 0.001) was observed after the aerobic exercise and CR intervention compared with the control group. However, no effect was estimated on muscle strength in this study.

Conclusions. The combined 6-month aerobic exercise with CR program improved the aerobic capacity in middle-aged, overweight and obese women, but had no effect on isometric and isokinetic strength.

Keywords: diet; physical exercise; obesity; muscle; cardiovascular fitness.