Effects of Concurrent Resistance and Aerobic Training on Body Composition, Muscular Strength and Maximum Oxygen Uptake in Men with Excess Weight

The study purpose was to compare the effects of concurrent resistance and aerobic training to resistance and/or aerobic training alone on body composition, muscular strength and maximum oxygen uptake in overweight and obese men. Materials and methods. Twenty-four overweight and obese (BMI = 23.0 – 29.9 kg/m2) volunteers who were male students from Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat University, aged 19-22 years were assigned into 3 groups: 1) resistance training group (RT), 2) aerobic training group (AT) and 3) concurrent resistance and aerobic training group (RT+AT). The training was 45 minutes per session and 2 days per week. Body composition along with muscular strength (1-RM) and maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) were measured before (2-3 days prior) and after (2-3 days post) a 5-week training period. Results. Waist circumference was significantly decreased in all three groups, but the RT+AT group also found improvement in percentages of fat-free mass (0.49 ± 0.49%, p = 0.021, mean ± SD) and skeletal muscle mass (1.01 ± 0.95%, p = 0.025) when compared to their baseline.  Similarly, 1-RM in leg extension was significantly increased in all three groups, while the RT group (47.67 ± 14.85%, p = 0.01) and the RT+AT group (42.08 ± 21.70%, p = 0.039) showed a substantially larger improvement in the 1-RM in leg extension when compared to the AT group (20.37 ± 13.97%). Finally, VO2max was significantly increased in all three groups (baseline to post-intervention), though they were not significantly different between groups. Conclusions. Concurrent resistance and aerobic training can reduce waist circumference and increase fat-free mass, skeletal muscle mass, 1-RM and VO2max. Therefore, this training strategy may serve as a useful alternative way to improve overall physical fitness and health promotion in overweight to obese male population.