A quasi-experimental study developed in sedentary morbidly obese men and women (age 43.6±11.3 y; body mass index [BMI] ≥40 kg/m2) were assigned to a CT group of ET plus RT (ET+RT; n=19; BMI 47.8±16.7) or RT plus ET order group (RT+ET; n=17; BMI 43.0±8.0). Subjects of both groups received eight exercise sessions over four weeks. Systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP), mean arterial pressure [MAP], heart rate at rest [HR], and pulse pressure [PP] measurements before and after 10 minutes postexercise. Secondary outcomes were other anthropometric, body composition, metabolic, and physical condition parameters. Using the ∆SBP reduction, and quartile categorization (Q) in 'high' (Rs: quartile 4), 'moderate' (MRs: quartile 3), 'low' (LRs: quartile 2), and 'nonresponders' (NRs: quartile 1) were reported.

Independent of the order (i.e., ET+RT, or RT+ET), each CT session had two sections; RT and ET, which were applied two days per week, during 8 sessions (4 weeks), and where the blood pressure changes were measured only in four opportunities (i.e., once a week in sessions 2, 4, 6, and 8). Thus, the CT included in each session 3 stages; a) callisthenics exercises, b) main exercise (ET+RT or RT+ET), and c) cool down exercises.

Before the starting, the participants were involved in the maximum strength capacity estimated using a submaximal test based on the Brzycki's equation: weight [1.0278-(0.0278*repetitions)] that does not change based on the sex, age of the population, or the exercise modality that is performed (Mayhew et al., 2004). After this procedure, there were applied 4 familiarization sessions that consisted in; session 1: 'knowledge of all measurements', 'knowledge of exercise-machine manipulation', and 'instructions during the exercise program', session 2: 'exercising during cycling', 'weights, and metal bars', session 3: 'applying a few of exercises of RT in 2 to 3 sets of exercises, to know the configuration of each exercise (i.e., ET and RT regimes itself), and session 4: 'applying the 50 to 70% of their CT program' corresponding to a normal session compound. In the 'calisthenic stage', each subject developed 10 minute warm-up with continuous walking, joint mobility and flexibility exercises. In the 'main part' of the session, and independent of the CT order group (ET+RT or RT+ET), the ET section consisted of continuous cycling using a magnetic resistance static bicycle (OxfordTM Fitness, model BE-2701, Chile) for 20 minutes. The intensity of the ET exercise was regulated through the previously used modified Borg scale from 1 to 10 rating of perceived exertion (Gillen et al., 2013) and the participants worked at a level between 5 to 7 points (i.e., moderate-intensity), considering the original 6 to 20 points scale (Borg, 1998), being the subjects regularly controlled to not exceed this intensity restriction. On the other hand, the RT section included 8 to 12 muscle strength exercises of circuit training with the following different muscle groups: (1) forearm, (2) knee flexors and extensors, (3) trunk, (4) chest, (5) shoulder elevators, (6) horizontal shoulder flexors, (7) extensors, and finally (8) plantar flexors. These exercises were performed in one set in a continuous concentric/eccentric voluntary contraction as possible for 60 seconds, followed by 60 to 90 seconds of passive recovery, where each participant was changed to another exercise. The RT section was of 25 minutes in duration time.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age >18 and <60 years
• women or men
• medical authorization for physical tests
• body mass index (BMI) ≥40 kg/m2, or between 35 and 40 kg/m2 but with previously diagnosed of morbid obesity and candidate for bariatric surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

• physical limitations to performing the physical test (e.g., restrictive injuries of the musculoskeletal system)
• exercise-related dyspnoea or respiratory alterations
• chronic heart disease diagnosed during the time of morbid obesity diagnosed and the starting of the exercise intervention