Effects of an Eight Week Resistance Training Program and Low Glycemic Diet on Body Composition and Performance in Sedentary, Healthy Overweight Females: Preliminary Data

Sedentary, healthy, overweight women (n=36) participated in a full‐body resistance training program 3 days/week. Participants also followed a structured, energy‐restricted, low glycemic diet. Performance and body composition variables were obtained at week 0 and after weeks 4 and 8. Data were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA and are presented as means ± SD. There was a significant increase in relative leg press strength between week 4 and 8 only (2.60±0.67 vs. 2.72±0.78, p=0.023). There were no significant changes for relative bench press strength or VO2 max (p>0.05). Body weight reduction was significant between weeks 0 and 8 (89.17±20.27 vs. 86.83±20.17, p=0.000). BMI also had significant decreases between weeks 0 and 8 (33.45±8.13 vs. 32.51±8.14, p=0.000). In addition, there was a significant decrease in waist measurements between weeks 0 and 8 (36.66±6.01 vs. 35.57±6.02, p=0.000). In terms of abdominal fat percent, DEXA scan analysis revealed a significant decrease between weeks 0 and 8 (40.65±6.67 vs. 38.86±6.70, p=0.033). Results indicate that a full body resistance training program, in combination with an energy‐restricted, low glycemic diet may help promote weight loss and strength gains. Supported by a research grant from Unigen Pharmaceuticals (Lacey, WA)