Análisis de la eficacia de dos programas de entrenamiento en adultos con sobrepeso y obesidadimpacto sobre la composición corporal y variables físicas, metabólicas y psicológicas

Abstract

Obesity is a chronic disease of increasing prevalence reaching epidemic proportions. It is associated with other diseases and psychological problems, which implies a wide spectrum of metabolic and cardiovascular complications, and a great economic and socio-health repercussion. It is a complex and multifactorial pathology, where genetic predisposition and environmental factors are some of the most important elements that contribute to its appearance. Exercise and physical activity have been identified as effective strategies to prevent and treat obesity, as well as to improve health and the percentages of fat mass and muscle mass. In addition, physical activity helps to maintain the weight loss achieved for a longer period of time, so the prescription of optimal physical exercise is a fundamental approach to achieve success in the overweight and obese population. However, at present, there are still controversial results as to which type of exercise is most effective. The purpose of this Doctoral Thesis is to analyze the effects of two physical exercise programs on the response of anthropometric, physical, metabolic and psychological variables in overweight and obese adults. For this purpose, two different training protocols were applied for 12 weeks, one based on strength work and the other on high-intensity interval training (HIIT). The study design was experimental and randomized and consisted of dividing the 90 participants into three groups: control group, strength training group and HIIT training group. The variables analyzed were body mass index, body fat percentage, muscle mass, waist hip index, fasting glucose, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, grip strength, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, emotional disturbance, perception of health status, positive and negative affect, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and self-perception of body image. All of them were measured at two time points: at the beginning and at the end of the training programs; in addition, the follow-up of the programs at three months was analyzed.The results obtained showed that both types of training were effective in improving body composition and physical and metabolic health, highlighting the increase in muscle mass in the participants who underwent strength training. In addition, there were improvements in most of the psychological variables, indicating that physical exercise benefits the mental and emotional health and psychological well-being of overweight and obese people.