The Effect of Home-Based Resistance Exercise in Overweight and Obese Adults.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the changes in muscular strength, physical function and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) with the addition of resistance training to a 12 week behavioral weight loss intervention in overweight and obese adults. METHODS: Forty-eight overweight adults (body mass index = 33.3�3.5 kg/m2) participated in this study. Thirty-eight subjects completed the 12 week behavioral weight loss intervention consisting of weekly behavioral counseling and weekly exercise sessions. Twenty-two subjects completed the 12 week standard behavioral weight loss intervention (SBWI) and sixteen subjects completed the 12 week home-based resistance exercise program (HBRE). The following measurements were performed at baseline and again at week 12: body weight, body mass index, body composition, muscular strength (1 RM chest press and 1 RM leg extension), physical function and HRQOL. RESULTS: A repeated measures ANOVA showed that there were significant decreases from baseline to week 12 for body weight, body mass index, lean body mass, and percent body fat. Measures of physical function showed improvement in step-up time, walk test time, chair rise time, and single leg balance time. There was a significant reduction in absolute upper body muscular strength, with no significant change in absolute lower body muscular strength. There were significant improvements is subscales of HRQOL for role physical, vitality, and general health (p