Effects of resistance training on sarcopenic obesity index in older women: A randomized controlled trial

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of resistance training (RT) on sarcopenic obesity (SO) in older women. 243 older women underwent body composition measurement using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and the SO index was calculated. This randomized controlled trial adopted from the baseline sample, 113 volunteers (67.0 +/- 5.2 years) were randomly assigned to a control group (CG, n = 64) or an experimental group (EG, n = 69). The EG took part in a 24-week RT program, conducted three times per week. Body composition measurements were repeated at the end of the training program. RT induced a significant increase in fat-free mass (P < 0.01), but not decrease in fat mass in the EG. Moreover, the SO index was also significantly improved in the EG (P < 0.01), while it decreased significantly in the CG (P < 0.01). It is concluded that RT is an effective approach to promote body composition alterations in older women, and it might improve SO-related phenotypes. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.