Beneficial effects of exercise: shifting the focus from body weight to other markers of health.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Exercise is widely promoted as a method of weight management, while the other health benefits are often ignored. The purpose of this study was to examine whether exercise-induced improvements in health are influenced by changes in body weight.

METHODS:

Fifty-eight sedentary overweight/obese men and women (BMI 31.8 (SD 4.5) kg/m(2)) participated in a 12-week supervised aerobic exercise intervention (70% heart rate max, five times a week, 500 kcal per session). Body composition, anthropometric parameters, aerobic capacity, blood pressure and acute psychological response to exercise were measured at weeks 0 and 12.

RESULTS:

The mean reduction in body weight was -3.3 (3.63) kg (p<0.01). However, 26 of the 58 participants failed to attain the predicted weight loss estimated from individuals' exercise-induced energy expenditure. Their mean weight loss was only -0.9 (1.8) kg (p<0.01). Despite attaining a lower-than-predicted weight reduction, these individuals experienced significant increases in aerobic capacity (6.3 (6.0) ml/kg/min; p<0.01), and a decreased systolic (-6.00 (11.5) mm Hg; p<0.05) and diastolic blood pressure (-3.9 (5.8) mm Hg; p<0.01), waist circumference (-3.7 (2.7) cm; p<0.01) and resting heart rate (-4.8 (8.9) bpm, p<0.001). In addition, these individuals experienced an acute exercise-induced increase in positive mood.

CONCLUSIONS:

These data demonstrate that significant and meaningful health benefits can be achieved even in the presence of lower-than-expected exercise-induced weight loss. A less successful reduction in body weight does not undermine the beneficial effects of aerobic exercise. From a public health perspective, exercise should be encouraged and the emphasis on weight loss reduced.

• Authors: N A King, M Hopkins, P Caudwell, R J Stubbs, J E Blundell
• Journal: British journal of sports medicine (Br J Sports Med) Vol. 43 Issue 12 Pg. 924-7 (Dec 2009) ISSN: 1473-0480 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19793728 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Affect
• Blood Pressure (physiology)
• Body Weight (physiology)
• Energy Metabolism (physiology)
• Exercise Therapy (methods)
• Female
• Heart Rate (physiology)
• Humans
• Male
• Obesity (physiopathology, therapy)
• Overweight (physiopathology, therapy)
• Sedentary Behavior
• Weight Loss