Different consecutive training protocols to design an intervention program for overweight youth: a controlled study

OBJECTIVE: To find the optimal exercise program to be recommended in reducing adiposity and promoting long-term physical activity adherence in a sample of overweight adolescents. METHODS: Forty-five overweight adolescents were randomly divided into three exercise groups, to perform two phases of physical activity as follows: in the first phase, the first group performed a 16-week moderate-intensity resistance training (RT), the second group performed a 16-week high-intensity RT, and the third group performed a 16-week aerobic training (AT); in the second phase, all groups performed a 6-week AT. Anthropometric body composition and fitness measures were considered as outcome measures. RESULTS: After the second protocol, both RT groups showed a significant improvement in percentage of fat mass (F(2,76) = 5.843; p = 0.004; h(2) = 0.133) and free fat mass (F(2,76) = 6.254; p = 0.003; h(2) = 0.141), and in fitness tests (p < 0.01). The VO(2)max values of the RT groups were significantly higher than those of the AT group (F(2,38) = 4.264; p = 0.021; h(2) = 0.183). The rate of adherence to exercise was an average of 94% in both RT groups, whereas in the AT group, it was 83%. During the 12-week post-intervention follow-up, the number of participants who continued to perform physical activities was significantly higher in both the RT groups than in the AT group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study provides preliminary evidence that moderate-to-intense RT, followed by AT, can be an effective treatment for overweight adolescents, and the positive effects are maintained even after 12 weeks of follow-up.