Effects of aerobic versus resistance exercise without caloric restriction on abdominal fat, intrahepatic lipid, and insulin sensitivity in obese adolescent boys: a randomized, controlled trial

Diabetes. 2012 Nov;61(11):2787-95. doi: 10.2337/db12-0214. Epub 2012 Jun 29.

Abstract

The optimal exercise modality for reductions of abdominal obesity and risk factors for type 2 diabetes in youth is unknown. We examined the effects of aerobic exercise (AE) versus resistance exercise (RE) without caloric restriction on abdominal adiposity, ectopic fat, and insulin sensitivity and secretion in youth. Forty-five obese adolescent boys were randomly assigned to one of three 3-month interventions: AE, RE, or a nonexercising control. Abdominal fat was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging, and intrahepatic lipid and intramyocellular lipid were assessed by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Insulin sensitivity and secretion were evaluated by a 3-h hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp and a 2-h hyperglycemic clamp. Both AE and RE prevented the significant weight gain that was observed in controls. Compared with controls, significant reductions in total and visceral fat and intrahepatic lipid were observed in both exercise groups. Compared with controls, a significant improvement in insulin sensitivity (27%) was observed in the RE group. Collapsed across groups, changes in visceral fat were associated with changes in intrahepatic lipid (r = 0.72) and insulin sensitivity (r = -0.47). Both AE and RE alone are effective for reducing abdominal fat and intrahepatic lipid in obese adolescent boys. RE but not AE is also associated with significant improvements in insulin sensitivity.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Fat / pathology*
  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior
  • Body Mass Index
  • Child
  • Child Behavior
  • Exercise*
  • Fatty Liver / etiology
  • Fatty Liver / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Insulin / metabolism
  • Insulin Resistance*
  • Insulin Secretion
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / metabolism
  • Intention to Treat Analysis
  • Lipid Metabolism*
  • Liver / metabolism*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
  • Obesity, Abdominal / metabolism
  • Obesity, Abdominal / pathology
  • Obesity, Abdominal / physiopathology
  • Obesity, Abdominal / therapy*
  • Patient Dropouts
  • Resistance Training*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Insulin