Effects of 5 Week Low-Intensity Blood Flow Restriction Resistance Exercise and Moderate-Intensity Resistance Exercise on Body Composition and Blood Lipids in Normal Weight Obese Women

PURPOSE:The primary objective of this study was to investigate and compare the effects of 5 weeks resistance training protocols (i.e., low-load blood flow restriction resistance training and moderate-load resistance training) especially on blood lipids, muscle strength, anaerobic power and body composition in young normal weight obese women.METHODS: Twenty-nine young normal weight obese women were randomly divided into three groups: blood flow restriction resistance training (BFR-RT, n=9), resistance training (RT, n=10) and non-training control (CON, n=10). BFR-RT group fitted a pneumatic cuff over the upper and lower extremities by using Kaatsu Nano equipment to apply the same pressures with each systolic blood pressure. The subjects in the BFR-RT group performed the training with 40% of 1RM and the RT group executed the resistance training with their 60-70% of 1RM. Both groups had performed the resistance training protocols twice per week for 5 weeks, and each training protocol consisted of bench press, barbell row, squat, and lunge.RESULTS:There were no changes in body weight, fat mass, BMI and %body fat in all groups after interventions for 5 weeks. However, the anaerobic power was significantly increased in both BFR-RT and RT groups compared to the CON group. Interestingly, only in the RT group, muscle mass and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly increased after the intervention.CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, this study suggests that moderate-intensity RT is better than low-intensity BFR-RT to improve muscle mass and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in young normal weight obese women.