Effect of Aerobic or Resistance Exercise, or Both, on Intermuscular and Visceral Fat and Physical and Metabolic Function in Older Adults with Obesity while Dieting

Abstract

Background: Obesity exacerbates age-related effects on body composition and physical and metabolic function. Which exercise mode is most effective in mitigating these deleterious changes in dieting older adults with obesity is unknown. Methods: In a randomized controlled trial, we performed a head-to-head comparison of aerobic (AEX), resistance (REX), or combination (COMB) exercise during matched ~10% weight loss in 160 obese older adults. Prespecified analyses compared 6-month changes in intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) assessed using MRI, insulin sensitivity index (ISI) by oral glucose tolerance test, physical function using Modified Physical Performance Test (PPT), VO2peak, gait speed, and knee strength by dynamometry. Results: IMAT and VAT decreased more in COMB than AEX and REX groups (IMAT;-41% vs-28% and-23% and VAT:-36% vs-19% and-21%; p =. 003 to. 01); IMAT and VAT decreased in all groups more than control (between-group p