Hybrid Exercise Training for Weight Loss

In a controlled randomized, two-group, repeated measures design, 65 healthy, sedentary, premenopausal overweight or obese women were randomly assigned to one of three groups: (a) a control group (C, N=21) that participated only in measurements, (b) a training group (TR, N=14) that participated in a supervised 40-week DoIT workout exercise training program and (c) a training-detraining group (TRD, N=14). During the first 20 weeks, TR and TRD followed exactly the same training protocol. At the end of this period, TR continued training for 20 more weeks whereas TRD terminated training for 20 weeks (detraining). Anthropometric, metabolic, daily nutritional intake, habitual physical activity and performance measurements were performed in all groups at baseline, at 20 weeks and 40 weeks.

• DoIT workout (Behavioral): A hybrid small-group (5-10 women/session) training modality, that combines interval training, resistance exercise and functional training and performed according to a periodized model of exercise prescription as an alternative approach for weight management. FFIT was performed 3 times/week with 48 hours recovery between sessions for 40 weeks.
• DoIT workout - Detraining (Behavioral): A hybrid small-group (5-10 women/session) training modality, that combines interval training, resistance exercise and functional training, performed according to a periodized model of exercise prescription for a 20-week period (3 times/week). Immediately after a 20-week detraining period (no training was performed) was followed.
• Control - No training (Behavioral): No training was performed during a 40-week period. Participation only in measurements.

Primary outcomes

• Change in body mass [At baseline, at 20 weeks and at 40 weeks.]
• Change in body mass index [At baseline, at 20 weeks and at 40 weeks.]
• Change in waist circumference [At baseline, at 20 weeks and at 40 weeks.]
• Change in hip circumference [At baseline, at 20 weeks and at 40 weeks.]
• Change in waist-to-hip ratio [At baseline, at 20 weeks and at 40 weeks.]
• Change in body fat. [At baseline, at 20 weeks and at 40 weeks.]: Body fat assessed by whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).
• Change in fat mass [At baseline, at 20 weeks and at 40 weeks.]: Fat mass assessed by whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).
• Change in fat-free mass [At baseline, at 20 weeks and at 40 weeks.]: Fat-free mass assessed by whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).
• Change in resting metabolic rate [At baseline, at 20 weeks and at 40 weeks.]: Measured using a portable open-circuit indirect calorimeter with a ventilated hood system.
• Change in exercise-induced caloric expenditure. [At baseline, at 20 weeks and at 40 weeks.]: Measured using a portable indirect calorimetry system

Secondary outcomes

• Change in maximal strength (1RM) [At baseline, at 20 weeks and at 40 weeks.]: Measured bilaterally on a horizontal leg press.
• Change in maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) [At baseline, at 20 weeks and at 40 weeks.]: Assessed by a portable open-circuit spirometry system.
• Change in blood lactate concentration [Pre-exercise, during the exercise and post-exercise at baseline, at 20 weeks and at 40 weeks.]
• Change in habitual physical activity [At baseline, at 20 weeks and at 40 weeks.]: Seven-day habitual physical activity was assessed by accelerometry
• Change in dietary intake [At baseline, at 20 weeks and at 40 weeks.]: Assessed using 7-day diet recalls

Sex: Female, ages: 30 Years to 45 Years, accepts healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

* (a) were sedentary (<7,500 steps/day; VO2max <30 ml/kg/min), b) premenopausal women aged 30-45 years, c) were overweight or obese class 1 (BMI=25-34.9 kg/m2), d) were non-smokers for ≥6 months before the study, e) not following a diet intervention or using nutritional supplements/medications before (≥6 months) and during the study, f) had no weight loss greater >10% of body mass ≤6 months before the study, g) participated in ≥80% of total exercise sessions, and h) had no symptoms of depression.

Exclusion Criteria:

* a) a recent febrile illness, b) history of muscle lesion, c) lower limb trauma, d) signs, symptoms or diagnosis of serious health complications or physical disability or other medical condition compromising safe participation in exercise training.

• Results publication: Batrakoulis A, Jamurtas AZ, Georgakouli K, Draganidis D, Deli CK, Papanikolaou K, Avloniti A, Chatzinikolaou A, Leontsini D, Tsimeas P, Comoutos N, Bouglas V, Michalopoulou M, Fatouros IG. High intensity, circuit-type integrated neuromuscular training alters energy balance and reduces body mass and fat in obese women: A 10-month training-detraining randomized controlled trial. PLoS One. 2018 Aug 23;13(8):e0202390. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202390. eCollection 2018. PMID 30138475
• Results publication: Batrakoulis A, Loules G, Georgakouli K, Tsimeas P, Draganidis D, Chatzinikolaou A, Papanikolaou K, Deli CK, Syrou N, Comoutos N, Theodorakis Y, Jamurtas AZ, Fatouros IG. High-intensity interval neuromuscular training promotes exercise behavioral regulation, adherence and weight loss in inactive obese women. Eur J Sport Sci. 2020 Jul;20(6):783-792. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2019.1663270. Epub 2019 Sep 16. PMID 31478436
• Results publication: Batrakoulis A, Tsimeas P, Deli CK, Vlachopoulos D, Ubago-Guisado E, Poulios A, Chatzinikolaou A, Draganidis D, Papanikolaou K, Georgakouli K, Batsilas D, Gracia-Marco L, Jamurtas AZ, Fatouros I. Hybrid neuromuscular training promotes musculoskeletal adaptations in inactive overweight and obese women: A training-detraining randomized controlled trial. J Sports Sci. 2021 Mar;39(5):503-512. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2020.1830543. Epub 2020 Oct 15. PMID 33054601
• Results publication: Batrakoulis A, Jamurtas AZ, Draganidis D, Georgakouli K, Tsimeas P, Poulios A, Syrou N, Deli CK, Papanikolaou K, Tournis S, Fatouros IG. Hybrid Neuromuscular Training Improves Cardiometabolic Health and Alters Redox Status in Inactive Overweight and Obese Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Antioxidants (Basel). 2021 Oct 12;10(10):1601. doi: 10.3390/antiox10101601. PMID 34679738
• Results publication: 2020 NSCA Research Abstracts. J Strength Cond Res. 2021 Apr 1;35(4):e3-e288. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003877. No abstract available. PMID 33752224