Abstract
In order to compare the effects of leisure physical activity (LPA), aerobic training
(AT) and aerobic plus resistance training (AT+RT) as part of a 6-month interdisciplinary
therapy in body composition, insulin resistance and leptin concentrations in obese
adolescents, 72 volunteers (n=24 in each group) ages 15–19 years were evaluated. Delta
(Δ) body mass (kg) and Δ BMI (kg/m2) was different between AT and LPA groups and in AT+RT group compared to both LPA
and AT groups; Δ body fat mass (kg and %) was different only in AT+RT group compared
to both LPA and AT; Δ body lean mass (%) was different only in AT+RT group; Δ body
lean mass (kg) was negative only in AT and positive and different from AT in AT+RT
group; ΔHOMA-IR did not differ among groups; Δ leptin (ng/ml) was negative and different
from LPA for both AT and AT+RT groups. In conclusion, both AT and AT+RT promoted a
reduction on leptin levels, however, the adolescents subjected to AT+RT presented
better results in body composition than the AT group. These results highlight the
importance of associating aerobic and resistance training with nutritional and psychological
approaches in the treatment of obese adolescents.
Key words
obesity - adolescents - leptin - physical exercise