Effects of Training on Running Cost and Aerobic Capacity in Individuals with Obesity.

This study investigated running cost (C Run ), peak oxygen consumption (V̇ O 2peak ), and ventilatory threshold (VT 1 ) responses to exercise programs for individuals with obesity. Ninety-four individuals (38.2±7.7 years; 33.4±2.9 kg/m²) were assigned into strength (n=24), endurance (n=26), combined (n=22), and physical activity (control, n=22) groups for 22 weeks, plus diet recommendation. The V̇ O 2peak , VT 1 , and C Run were assessed through a maximal incremental step test. The change of V̇ O 2peak in combined (9.9%) differed from the other groups, with lower values in women than men (0.7% vs. 6.2%). The VT 1 change in combined (16.4%) differed from the strength (4.9%) and physical activity (1.2%) groups, with the change in endurance (12.7%) also being higher than the physical activity group. Only men in the combined group increased absolute V̇ O 2peak , while both sexes increased VT 1 in the endurance and combined groups. No effects for groups and sex were significant for C Run in moderate (<VT 1 ) or high-intensity (>VT 1 ) running zones, despite C Run changes in <VT 1 and >VT 1 zones correlated with the alterations of V̇ O 2peak and VT 1 (r²=0.29-0.59). Therefore, moderate aerobic exercise stimulus is suitable for VT 1 improvement in individuals with obesity, with the increase in C Run associated to the chances of increasing V̇ O 2peak in men and when combining strength with aerobic exercises.