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Int J Sports Med 2011; 32(6): 468-475
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1271789
Clinical Sciences

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Randomized Controlled Trial of Training Intensity in Adiposity

J.-K. Cho1 , S.-H. Lee1 , J.-Y. Lee2 , H.-S. Kang1
  • 1School of Sports Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
  • 2The Division of Humanities and Social Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision January 24, 2011

Publication Date:
04 March 2011 (online)

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Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of training intensity on abdominal fatness reduction and improvements of metabolic risk factors in Korean women (N=45, aged 45.4±7.3 yrs). Subjects were randomly assigned to control (CON, N=15) or low-intensity exercise (LIEX, N=15) or high-intensity exercise (HIEX, N=15). The LIEX and HIEX groups participated in a 12-wk exercise intervention at intensities of 40–50% and 70–75% of VO2max, respectively. Outcome assessments performed at baseline and at the end of 12-wk period included abdominal adipose tissues, VO2max, blood lipids, fasting glucose and insulin, and LPL- and HSL-mRNAs in abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). Unlike the CON group, women in the exercise groups had significant improvements in VO2max (+11%, P<0.001), SAT (−12%, P=0.026), TG (−23%, P=0.002), HDLC (+7.2%, P=0.013), insulin (−23%, P=0.037), and HOMA-IR (−25%, P=0.015) relative to baseline values. Changes in baseline CRF were in a dose-dependent manner based in intensity (−1.2±1.7, 2.1±2.8, and 4.7±3.2 ml/kg/min for CON, LIEX, and HIEX, respectively, P<0.001). We found no evidence that LIEX- and HIEX differ in their effects on abdominal adiposity, risk factors, and LPL- and HSL-mRNA expressions in SAT. In conclusion, the current findings suggest that low- and high-intensity exercise are equally effective in reducing abdominal adiposity and in improving risk factors.

Key words

exercise training - cardio/respiratory fitness - abdominal fat tissue - risk factors

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Correspondence

Prof. Hyun-Sik KangPhD 

Sungkyunkwan University

School of Sport Science

300 Cheoncheon-dong

440–746 Suwon

Republic of Korea

Phone: +82/31/299 6911

Fax: +82/31/299 6929

Email: hkang@skku.edu