Comparison between concurrent training and running in deep water associated with nutritional counseling on weight loss and body composition in obese individuals

AIMS: To compare the effects of two exercise programs, concurrent training and running in deep water, associated with nutritional counseling, in weight loss and body composition in obese individuals. METHODS: Fifty subjects were divided into two groups according to the type of physical training program. One group, composed of 23 individuals, underwent a concurrent training (aerobic and strength); and 27 underwent deep water running (aerobic). All received the same nutritional counseling. Participants were assessed for weight, height, girth, body mass index and body composition (fat mass and lean mass) before and after 45 days of the program. Student's t test was applied for analysis of variables between groups and Pearson correlation test was used to evaluate the effect of weight loss in the other variables. The significance level was set at less than 0.05. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 48.1±12 years and 42 (84%) were female. After 45 days of intervention, 42 individuals lost a medium of 2.96% of initial weight, with significant reductions in all anthropometric variables, except the lean mass. There was no significant difference in weight loss and body composition among individuals who practiced concurrent training or practiced running in deep water. CONCLUSIONS: Both groups that underwent physical training and nutritional intervention showed weight loss and a positive change in body composition, without predominant effect between the exercise types.