Effects of long-term resistance training on obesity indicators: a systematic review

Abstract

Several studies have reported the effect of exercise on the control of excess body fat; however, the criteria for different types of exercise have not yet been established in the literature, mainly regarding long-term resistance exercises. The objective of the present study was to determine by a systematic review the long-term action of resistance training on obesity indicators. Original scientific studies were included, classified according to the intervention of traditional (TRT) and combined (CRT) resistance training and analyzed in terms of their methodological quality. Articles were surveyed in the following databases: MEDLINE via PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, and Lilacs. Based on the analysis of 28 papers selected from the 1199 articles reviewed, it was noted that higher rates of reduction in body mass index and body fat percentage occurred when performing CRT compared to TRT. However, more evidence is needed in order to standardize the variables of resistance training (number of exercises, repetitions, number of series, intervals, speed of execution, and load intensity), so that the best training model may be identified and the methodological quality of the experiments may be improved in an attempt to reduce the risk of bias