Objective: 

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of combined aerobic and resistive exercise on body composition.

Methods: 

Among patients who applied to PMR Department, 50 patients with body mass index (BMI)>30 who completed exercise programme were evaluated. Patients completed a total of 30 sessions of exercise programme for 10 weeks, 3 times a week. Body composition was measured by TANITA in the fasting state. Intensity of aerobic exercise programme was determined by 50–70% of the maximum heart rate calculated with Karvenon formule. Strengthening exercise was made by weights corresponding to 50–60% of 1 repetetion maximum (RM) of pectoral, abdominal, lower and upper extremity muscles over 2 sets of 10 repetetions.

Results: 

The mean age, weight, height and BMI of the 45 women and 5 men registered in our study were 48.48±9.9; 87.62±11.16 kg; 161.2±6.4 cm; 33.81±3.4 kg/ m2 respectively. A statistically significant difference was detected before and after exercise measurements in weight, BMI percent of fat, mass of fat, percent of lean body weight, waist circumference and hip circumference. There was no significant alteration in lean body mass, waist to hip ratio and basal metabolic rate.

Conclusions: 

Optimal exercise programme for obese people aims at decreasing fat mass while preserving muscle mass. Aerobic exercises play a role in decreasing mass and percent of fat, whereas strenghtening exercise contributes to preservation of muscle mass. Combination of these exercises was found to be effective.