Are Weights the Best Weapons to Fight Obesity?
People battling with their weight who are unable to do aerobic exercise can hit the gym instead and still see positive results. Despite the commonly held belief aerobic exercise is essential for weight loss, an Edith Cowan University (ECU) study conducted at the Exercise Medicine Research Institute (EMRI) has found resistance training can also have positive results — in conjunction with reducing calorie intake. Lead researcher and PhD student Pedro Lopez said the findings showed resistance training can have a significant effect on fat mass, muscle mass and weight loss.
“Usually when we talk about obesity, body composition or weight loss, we only hear about aerobic exercise,” he said.
“This paper shows we can use resistance training and achieve meaningful effects with a diet based on caloric reduction. We can reduce body fat percentage, whole-body fat mass, body weight and BMI.
“If you’re comparing the literature, these effects are similar to aerobic exercise with caloric restriction in adults who are overweight or obese.” Mr Lopez said it was important people battling obesity had options beyond just aerobic exercise to lose weight.
Excerpted from Science Daily
