Full-body resistance training promotes greater fat mass loss than a split-body routine in well-trained males: A randomized trial

Abstract

While significant progress has been made in understanding the resistance training (RT) strategy for muscle hypertrophy increase, there remains limited knowledge about its impact on fat mass loss. This study aimed to investigate whether full-body is superior to split-body routine in promoting fat mass loss among well-trained males. Twenty-three participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: full-body (n = 11, training muscle groups 5 days per week) and split-body (n = 12, training muscle groups 1 day per week). Both groups performed a weekly set volume-matched condition (75 sets/week, 8–12 repetition maximum at 70%–80 % of 1RM) for 8 weeks, 5 days per week with differences only in the routine. Whole-body and regional fat were assessed using DXA at the beginning and at the end of the study. Full-body RT elicited greater losses compared to split-body in whole-body fat mass (−0.775 ± 1.120 kg vs. +0.317 ± 1.260 kg; p = 0.040), upper-limb fat mass (−0.085 ± 0.118 kg vs. +0.066 ± 0.162 kg; p = 0.019), gynoid fat mass (−0.142 ± 0.230 kg vs. +0.123 ± 0.230 kg; p = 0.012), lower-limb fat mass (−0.197 ± 0.204 kg vs. +0.055 ± 0.328 kg; p = 0.040), and a trend in interaction in android fat mass (−0.116 ± 0.153 kg vs. +0.026 ± 0.174 kg; p = 0.051), with large effects sizes (η²_p ≥ 0.17). This study provides evidence that full-body is more effective in reducing whole-body and regional fat mass compared to split-body routine in well-trained males.