Effects Of A Home-based Strength Training Program On The Reduction Of Obesity And Metabolic Disorders In Obese Latino Boys

Background: Few randomized trials attempt to improve insulin sensitivity and associated metabolic risks in overweight youth, particularly Latino adolescents.

Purpose::The aims of the present pilot study are two-fold, (a) to test the efficacy of the intervention by comparing the home-based strength training (HBST) interventions vs. control group (C); and 2) to determine the effects of a home-based strength-training intervention on maximum strength, insulin secretion, insulin resistance, physical activity and sedentary behavior in obese Latino boys.

Methods: Thirty obese Latino adolescent males (aged 14-18 years) were randomized to either a twice-weekly Home Based Strength Training group (HBST; n=15) or a Control group (C; n=15) for 16 weeks. The following were measured at pre- and post-intervention: Height and weight were measured in triplicate using a beam medical scale and wall-mounted stadiometer, blood Pressure, Hip and waist circumference, strength by 1-repetition max, body composition by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, glucose/insulin indices by oral glucose tolerance test and IV glucose tolerance test with minimal modeling, C-Reactive Protein, Adiponectin, Cortisol, Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF 1), Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1) and Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3). Physical activity and sedentary behavior were assessed (over a 7 day period) using the Actigraph GT1X. A repeated measures GLM was used to assess differences in changes in outcome measures, between the C and the HBST groups.

Results: :There were no significant effects on adiposity measures, insulin/glucose dynamics, C-Reactive Protein, Adiponectin, Cortisol, Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF 1), Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1) and Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3), physical activity or sedentary behaviour between intervention groups (p>0.05). There was a trend for significance in change in strength within the HBST group (p = 0.07).

Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest that a twice per week 16-week home based strength training program may not be enough to significantly improve insulin sensitivity, physical activity, or decrease adiposity in obese Latino boys.