Fitness, Strength and Body Composition during Weight Loss in Women with Clinically Severe Obesity: A Randomised Clinical Trial

Abstract

Introduction: To determine whether combined exercise training with an energy-restricted diet leads to improved physical fitness and body composition when compared to energy restriction alone in free-living premenopausal women with clinically severe obesity. Methods: Sixty premenopausal women (BMI of 40.4 6.7) were randomised to energy restriction only (ER) or to exercise plus energy restriction (EXER) for 12 months. Body composition and fitness were measured at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months. Results: VO