PHYSIOLOGICAL ADAPTATIONS TO A WEIGHT-LOSS DIETARY REGIMEN AND EXERCISE PROGRAMS IN WOMEN

Thirty-one women (mean age 35.4 +/- 8.5 yr) who were overweight were m atched and randomly placed into either a control group (Con; n = 6), a diet-only group (D; n = 8), a diet + aerobic endurance exercise train ing group (DE; n = 9), or a diet + aerobic endurance exercise training + strength training group (DES; n = 8). After 12 wk, the three dietar y groups demonstrated a significant (P less than or equal to 0.05) red uction in body mass, %body fat, and fat mass. No differences were obse rved in the magnitude of loss among groups, in fat-free mass, or in re sting metabolic rate. The DE and DES groups increased maximal oxygen c onsumption, and the DES group demonstrated increases in maximal streng th. Weight loss resulted in a similar reduction in total serum cholest erol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotei n cholesterol among dietary groups. These data indicate that weight lo ss during moderate caloric restriction is not altered by inclusion of aerobic or aerobic + resistance exercise, but diet in conjunction with training can induce remarkable adaptations in aerobic capacity and mu scular strength despite significant reductions in body mass.