Front Physiol. 2026 Jul 1;17:1891546. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2026.1891546. eCollection 2026.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Obesity is a major global health concern associated with increased risk of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Resistance exercise has emerged as an effective non-pharmacological strategy for improving body composition and metabolic health; however, its effects may vary depending on individual and program-related factors. This study aimed to investigate the effects of an 8-week resistance exercise program on body composition and lipid profile in adult women with obesity.
METHODS: A total of 30 adult women (mean age: 28.97 ± 6.96 years) participated in an 8-week supervised resistance exercise program performed three times per week. The intervention was conducted at low-to-moderate intensity and progressively advanced through increases in exercise complexity, training volume, and external resistance. Body composition parameters were assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and fasting blood samples were collected to determine triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. Pre- and post-intervention differences were analyzed using paired sample t-tests, and effect sizes (Cohen's d) were calculated.
RESULTS: Significant improvements were observed following the intervention. Body weight (d = 0.69, p < 0.001), body fat percentage (d = 0.91, p < 0.001), and BMI (d = 0.78, p < 0.001) decreased significantly. Additionally, triglycerides (d = 1.25, p < 0.001), total cholesterol (d = 1.45, p < 0.001), and LDL levels (d = 1.25, p < 0.001) were significantly reduced, while HDL levels increased significantly (d = -0.70, p < 0.001). These findings indicate substantial improvements in both anthropometric and metabolic parameters.
CONCLUSION: Participation in an 8-week resistance exercise program was associated with improvements in body composition and lipid profile parameters in women with obesity. However, due to the single-group pre-post design and the absence of a control group, causal relationships cannot be definitively established. Resistance exercise may represent a promising strategy for supporting cardiometabolic health in this population.
PMID:42460306 | PMC:PMC13371105 | DOI:10.3389/fphys.2026.1891546