Functional Impact of Interval Training on Muscle Mass and Strength in Obese Adults

Functional Impact of Interval Training on Muscle Mass and Strength in Obese Adults

The primary objective was to investigate the effectiveness of interval training and to evaluate the best available method for measuring body composition and functional capacity.

Thirty obese subjects consecutively voluntarily participated in the current study. They ranked sedentary according to their level of activity (≥ 30-minute moderate physical activity 3days/wk). The training sessions were divided into the warm-up phase, training phase and a cool-down phase. The training programs were completed 3days/week for 12 weeks. Body composition was calculated by skinfold thickness method and bio-impedance before and after training. Similarly, aerobic capacities were measured by lactate threshold testing and by Astrand submaximal testing.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 30 obese (BMI ≥ 30) and
• Sedentary lifestyle subjects (sample size was calculated by using WHO sample size calculator)
• Age 30-45 years and
• Hypercholesteremia

Exclusion Criteria:

• hypertension,
• diabetes,
• cardiovascular diseases
• systemic diseases