Resistance training does not contribute to improving the metabolic profile after a 6-month weight loss program in overweight and obese postmenopausal women.
BACKGROUND
Limited data are available regarding the impact of caloric restriction (CR) in combination with resistance training (RT) on the metabolic profile of postmenopausal women.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to determine whether RT adds to CR in improving body composition and the metabolic profile.


METHODS
This was a 6-month, randomized, clinical trial.


METHODS
Patients included 107 postmenopausal women (body mass index >27 kg/m(2)).


METHODS
The intervention was a 6-month CR alone or in combination with a RT program.


METHODS
Fat mass (FM), lean body mass (LBM), abdominal sc fat and visceral fat, fasting lipids, insulin sensitivity, resting blood pressure, and inflammation markers were measured.


RESULTS
Both groups were similar at baseline and significantly decreased body weight, body mass index, FM, percent FM, abdominal sc fat, and visceral fat after the study (P < 0.001), with greater losses of percent FM and trunk FM in the CR + RT group (P < 0.05). LMB significantly decreased in the CR (-0.9 +/- 2.4 kg) and the CR+RT (-0.4 +/- 2.2 kg) groups (P < 0.005), with no difference between them. Both groups significantly improved plasma triglycerides, fasting insulin level, glucose disposal, and markers of the inflammation profile after weight loss (P < 0.05), with no difference between groups. No improvements were observed for the other variables of interest in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
CR+RT was associated with greater losses in percent FM and trunk FM compared with CR alone. However, CR+RT was not associated with additional improvements in the metabolic profile compared with CR alone.
Brochu
Martin
M
Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, University of Sherbrooke, J1K 2R1, and Research Centre on Aging, Health and Social Services Centre, Sherbrooke University Institute of Geriatrics, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada. martin.brochu@usherbrooke.ca
Malita
Mircea Florin
MF
Messier
Virginie
V
Doucet
Eric
E
Strychar
Irene
I
Lavoie
Jean-Marc
JM
Prud'homme
Denis
D
Rabasa-Lhoret
Rémi
R
D000368:Aged; D001823:Body Composition; D050218:Body Fat Distribution; D031204:Caloric Restriction; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism*; D050177:Overweight / Q000378:metabolism*; D017698:Postmenopause; D055070:Resistance Training; D015431:Weight Loss
D005947:Glucose