Efficacy of Exercise Time Models in Weight-Loss and Coronary Risk Panel of Middle-Aged Females

Age-related obesity, besides genetics, depends on diet and exercise. There are various strategies for the time duration of exercise. Nevertheless, there continues to be little knowledge about its diverse models for women in middle-age. This study investigated the impacts of interval training on the loss of weight and coronary risk panel and compared its effectiveness with continuous training effectiveness. This research was a simplified randomized trial. Participants (n = 86) were selected among sedentary overweight or obese women aged 45 - 65 years who had attended (during the three months before the study) weight-loss consulting programs. Of all 86 participants, 74 completed the study. They were randomly divided into 2 groups: A group with continuous training and a group with interval training. The weight assessment parameters, including change of weight, body composition, and blood sample tests, were carried out before and after the 12-week intervention. In comparison with baseline data, all parameters changed significantly in both groups. The study groups showed a similar weight loss pattern after the intervention. The same changes were noticed in the body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels in post-test groups (P > 0.05). Elevation in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels differed significantly in post-test groups (P < 0.05). The decrease in the ratio of TC to HDL-C was more in interval exercise than in continuous training. Both exercise time models could improve significantly the weight loss parameters but it seems that the interval-training pattern provides more health along with weight loss. This may be clinically useful and provide a physical activity guideline for body weight loss in middle-aged women.