Effect of exercise intensity on abdominal fat loss during calorie restriction in overweight and obese postmenopausal women: a randomized, controlled trial1-4

In their study, nicklas et al. examined the influence of the intensity of physical exercise on loss of abdominal fat and improvements in cardiovascular risk factors. the female patients included, who were all overweight or obese, and postmenopausal, were divided up into three treatment groups with variable intensity levels of physical exercise. the corresponding diet consisted of a controlled, low calorie programme. For a given overall level of energy expenditure, the results did not show any differences as to total weight loss or loss of abdominal fat. However, increases in the intensity of physical exercise did lead to enhancement of VO(2)max and a reduced lean weight loss.