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The effect of high-intensity progressive resistance training on adiposity in children: a randomized controlled trial

International Journal of Obesity volume 32, pages 1016–1027 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Background:

High-intensity progressive resistance training (PRT) improves adiposity and metabolic risk in adults, but has not been investigated in children within a randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Objective:

We hypothesized that high-intensity PRT (8 weeks, twice a week) would decrease central adiposity in children, as assessed via waist circumference.

Methods Design/Setting/Participants:

Concealed randomization stratified by age and gender was used to allocate rural New Zealand school students to the wait-list control or PRT group.

Intervention:

Participants were prescribed two sets (eight repetitions per set) of 11 exercises targeting all the major muscle groups at high intensity.

Primary Outcome:

Waist circumference; secondary outcomes included whole body fat, muscular fitness (one repetition maximum), cardiorespiratory fitness (peak oxygen consumption during a treadmill test), lipids, insulin sensitivity and fasting glucose.

Results:

Of the 78 children (32 girls and 46 boys; mean age 12.2(1.3) years), 51% were either overweight (33%) or obese (18%). High-intensity PRT significantly improved waist circumference (mean change PRT −0.8 (2.2) cm vs +0.5 (1.7) cm control; F=7.59, P=0.008), fat mass (mean change PRT +0.2 (1.4) kg vs +1.0 (1.2) kg control; F=6.00, P=0.017), percent body fat (mean change PRT –0.3 (1.8)% vs +1.2 (2.1)% control; F=9.04, P=0.004), body mass index (mean change PRT −0.01 (0.8) kg m−2 vs +0.4 (0.7) kg m−2 control; F=6.02, P=0.017), upper body strength (mean change PRT+11.6(6.1) kg vs +2.9(3.7) kg control; F=48.6, P<0.001) and lower body strength (mean change PRT +42.9(26.6) kg vs +28.5(26.6) kg control; F=4.72, P=0.034) compared to the control group. Waist circumference decreased the most in those with the greatest baseline relative strength (r=−0.257, P=0.036), and greatest relative (r=−0.400, P=0.001) and absolute (r=0.340, P=0.006) strength gains during the intervention.

Conclusion:

Isolated high-intensity PRT significantly improves central and whole body adiposity in association with muscle strength in normal-weight and overweight children. The clinical relevance and sustainability of these changes in adiposity should be addressed in future long-term studies.

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Acknowledgements

Supported by grants for blood testing from Invercargill South Lions Club Diabetes Services Development Trust and Southland District Health Board and research and equipment grants from the University of Sydney and the Southern Institute of Technology. The authors would like to thank all the children, adolescents, their families and the schools that participated in this project, Southern Institute of Technology Student Research Assistants, Everybodies Health & Fitness Gym and Sports Southland.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Discipline of Exercise Sciences, The School of Medical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia

    A C Benson

  2. Faculty of Health Sciences, The School of Exercise & Sport Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

    A C Benson, M E Torode & M A Fiatarone Singh

  3. Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

    M A Fiatarone Singh

  4. Hebrew SeniorLife and Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA

    M A Fiatarone Singh

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  1. A C Benson
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Correspondence to A C Benson.

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Trial Registration: Australian Clinical Trials Registry (ACTR), ACTRN012605000102673, http://www.actr.org.au.

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Benson, A., Torode, M. & Fiatarone Singh, M. The effect of high-intensity progressive resistance training on adiposity in children: a randomized controlled trial. Int J Obes 32, 1016–1027 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2008.5

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