Strength Training for Men Living With Obesity

Emerging evidence suggests that alternative obesity management strategies need to address barriers to engaging with regular physical activity to adopt healthier lifestyles. It is hypothesized that more men living with obesity who are exposed to an online home-based circuit strength training for 12 weeks will be more physically active, 34 weeks after the intervention compared with people who are not exposed to the program.

Sixty men (age ≥ 18 years; body fat % ≥ 25) were randomly assigned to the intervention group (N=30) or the control condition (N=30) for 12 weeks. The intervention group did the online delivered circuit training, three sessions in a week. Adherence to the weekly physical activity guidelines was evaluated 46 weeks after being enrolled in the program using a heart rate tracker and an exercise log. Most variables (anthropometrics, body composition, resting heart rate, blood pressure, lipids profile, glucose) were measured at baseline and after 12, 24, and 46 weeks. Aerobic fitness and comfort with technology were measured at baseline. Perceived benefits/barriers of participation in exercise were captured at baseline and 12 weeks. More participants in the intervention group adhered to the physical activity guidelines compared to the control group at 46 weeks (intervention 36.8% vs control 5.3%; p=0.021). However, the intervention group did not improve their health outcomes after 12, 24, and 46 weeks. Fewer barriers were reported after 12-week for the intervention group (p=0.02).