Effect of Resistance Training on Physical Performance in Underweight Females

Background: Underweight persons have problems in increasing muscle size, body weight and also fitness levels. Resistance training RT has remarkable effect in increasing muscle size hypertrophy.Aim of the work: To determine the effect of resistance training on muscle strength, physical performance and psychological state in underweight females.Patients and Methods: Sixty underweight females were recruited in this study. They were selected from the clinical nutrition department, Kafr Al Zayat general hospital. They aged from 20 to 30 years old with a BMI between 16 to 18.4 kg/m². They randomly distributed into two equal groups; Group A Study group Resistance training group: 30 female subjects received strengthening training exercises in the form of upper body exercises push-up, dips, bridges and planks and lower body exercises squats and lungs, in addition to high caloric diet, and group B Diet group received only high caloric diet. BMI, muscle mass, muscle strength measurements, physical performance and Rosenberg self-esteem scale were assessed pre and post the study.Results: There was a significant increase in all variables that represent BMI 2.92%, skeletal muscle mass 10,46 %, muscle strength measures for upper limb shoulder abduction, elbow flexion, elbow extension [15.21% , 55.16% , 26.50 % respectively and for lower limb planter flexion, ankle dorsiflexion, knee extension [13.51%, 15.53%, 43.34% respectively, six minute walk test 6.90%, one minute sit-up test 43.99% and Rosenberg self-esteem scale 37.05% in resistance training group A than diet group B but there was no significant difference between all these variables in between groups pre-treatment p>0.05.Conclusion: Resisted training has significant optimistic effects on muscle bulk, muscle strength and improving physical performance and psychological state for underweight females. Therefore, it is recommended as a basic program for underweight females.