Effect of exercise training intensity on abdominal visceral fat and body composition.
The metabolic syndrome is a complex clustering of metabolic defects associated with physical inactivity, abdominal adiposity, and aging.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of exercise training intensity on abdominal visceral fat (AVF) and body composition in obese women with the metabolic syndrome.


METHODS
Twenty-seven middle-aged obese women (mean +/- SD; age = 51 +/- 9 yr and body mass index = 34 +/- 6 kg x m(-2)) with the metabolic syndrome completed one of three 16-wk aerobic exercise interventions: (i) no-exercise training (Control): seven participants maintained their existing levels of physical activity; (ii) low-intensity exercise training (LIET): 11 participants exercised 5 d x wk(-1) at an intensity < or = lactate threshold (LT); and (iii) high-intensity exercise training (HIET): nine participants exercised 3 d x wk(-1) at an intensity > LT and 2 d x wk(-1) < or = LT. Exercise time was adjusted to maintain caloric expenditure (400 kcal per session). Single-slice computed tomography scans obtained at the L4-L5 disc space and midthigh were used to determine abdominal fat and thigh muscle cross-sectional areas. Percent body fat was assessed by air displacement plethysmography.


RESULTS
HIET significantly reduced total abdominal fat (P < 0.001), abdominal subcutaneous fat (P = 0.034), and AVF (P = 0.010). There were no significant changes observed in any of these parameters within the Control or the LIET conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
The present data indicate that body composition changes are affected by the intensity of exercise training with HIET more effectively for reducing total abdominal fat, subcutaneous abdominal fat, and AVF in obese women with the metabolic syndrome.
Department of Human Services, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
Brian A
BA
Irving
Christopher K
CK
Davis
David W
DW
Brock
Judy Y
JY
Weltman
Damon
D
Swift
Eugene J
EJ
Barrett
Glenn A
GA
Gaesser
Arthur
A
Weltman
D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat / Q000378:metabolism*; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D010809:Physical Fitness; D015431:Weight Loss