Objectives: This study tested whether high-intensity interval training is a time-efficient strategy for improving visceral adiposity tissue and inflammatory markers in obese postmenopausal women when compared with combined training. Moreover, we tested whether change in visceral adiposity tissue is associated with alterations in these inflammatory markers. Methods: Postmenopausal women were randomized in two groups: combined training (n = 13) and high-intensity interval training (n = 13). The combined training group performed 60 minutes of walking at 70% of maximum heart rate and resistance exercises at 70% of one repetition maximum. The high-intensity interval training group performed 28 minutes of high-intensity exercises (> 80% of maximum heart rate). Both groups trained three times a week for 12 weeks. Body composition and inflammatory markers were analyzed with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scanning and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Results: All groups reduced body fat percentage (P = 0.026), visceral adiposity tissue (P = 0.027), leptin (P = 0.043), and increased interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist ( P < 0.01). The high-intensity interval training group reduced visceral adiposity tissue (P = 0.021) in a greater magnitude and increased interleukin-6 (P = 0.037) level when compared with the combined training group. Moreover, the visceral adiposity tissue changes explained the changes in IL-6 (56%; P = 0.002) only in the high-intensity interval training group. Conclusions: These results suggest that high-intensity interval training is a time-efficient strategy for improving visceral adiposity tissue and inflammatory markers in obese postmenopausal women. Moreover, we observed that serum cytokine changes, at least in part, depend on visceral adiposity tissue alterations.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a higher protein intake on lean body mass (LBM) gain in postmenopausal women practicing resistance exercise and compare it to the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) recommendation. Twenty-three postmenopausal women (63.2 ± 7.8 years) were randomized into two groups. The group with higher protein intake (n = 11) (HP) received a dietary plan with ~1.2 g·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹ of protein, while the normal protein (NP) group (n = 12) was instructed to ingest ~0.8 g·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹ of protein (RDA recommendation). Both groups performed the same resistance training protocol, 3 times a week, with progression of the number of sets (from 1 to 6 sets) and 8–12 repetitions. The intervention occurred over 10 weeks. Body composition evaluation was performed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The diet was evaluated by nine 24-h food recall summaries over the course of the study. During the intervention period, the HP group presented a higher protein (1.18 ± 0.3 vs. 0.87 ± 0.2 g·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹, p = 0.008) and leucine (6.0 ± 1.4 vs. 4.3 ± 0.9 g/day, p < 0.001) intake than the NP group, respectively. At the end of the intervention, there were increases in LBM both in HP (37.1 ± 6.2 to 38.4 ± 6.5 kg, p = 0.004) and in NP (37.6 ± 6.2 to 38.8 ± 6.4 kg, p < 0.001), with no differences between the groups (p = 0.572). In conclusion, increased protein intake did not promote higher LBM gain when compared to RDA recommendation in postmenopausal women performing resistance exercise during 10 weeks. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT03024125.

This study aimed to compare the effects of 12 weeks of functional strength training combined with aerobic training (TG) and traditional resistance training combined with aerobic training (CG) on the body composition, physical fitness, and movement quality of obese adolescents. Forty participants were randomly assigned to either the TG group (n = 20) or the CG group (n = 20). Each group underwent training five times per week, lasting 120 min each time, over a total period of 12 weeks. All participants followed a strict dietary program. Anthropometric parameters, body composition, physical fitness, and movement quality were evaluated at baseline and after intervention. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA observed a significant interaction between time and group for body mass (p = 0.043), body fat percentage (p = 0.045), body mass index (p = 0.025), neck circumference (p = 0.01), chest circumference (p = 0.027), left-hand grip strength (p = 0.043), right-hand grip strength (p = 0.048), standing broad jump (p = 0.044), and total Functional Movement Screen score (p = 0.003), and the improvement was greater for TG in comparison to CG. TG was found to be more effective than CG in enhancing body composition, physical fitness, and movement quality in obese adolescents.

Objectives: This study compared the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with effects of combined training (CT) on physical function, body composition, and muscle strength in obese postmenopausal women (PW) (trial registration: NCT03200639). Methods: PW were randomized to CT (n = 12) and HIIT (n = 12). The CT group performed 30 minutes of moderate walking at 70% of maximum heart rate (MHR) and five resistance exercises at 70% of one repetition maximum (1RM) for 12 weeks. The HIIT group performed 10 sets of vigorous exercises (30 seconds (s) of stair climbing and 30 s of body weight squats) at >80% MHR interspersed by a light walk (recovery period at 60% MHR). Results: Both groups reduced body fat percentage (0.5%), chair stand (3 s) and increased leg lean mass (0.3 kg). Only the CT, however, increased muscle strength (29%) and fast walking speed (5%) compared with HIIT. The fast walking speed changes were partially explained by the muscle strength changes (36%, r = 0.60, P = 0.027) in the CT group. Conclusions: These results suggest that HIIT is an alternative time-efficient protocol for improving chair stand and body composition when compared with CT, whereas only CT is an efficient protocol for improving muscular strength and fast walking speed in obese PW. Thus, CT must be prioritized when the increase of muscular strength and fast walking speed are the goals of training. Video Summary: Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/MENO/A443.