Change in body composition (%BF) following structured aerobic and combined exercise modalities among overweight young male adult

The study aimed to differentiate the effect of isolated moderate aerobic exercise (IMAE) versus resistance (RT) combined with aerobic exercise (RCAE) on percentage body fat (%BF). A total of 90 Ethiopian overweight sedentary adults aged 19-24yrs were participated. All subjects were recruited following ACSM screening procedure before the commencement of the exercise program. All the necessary anthropometric variables including body composition were measured at the baseline and end of the exercise secession using standard measurement protocol. Body density and %BF was computed using Jackson & Pollock, and Siri, formula respectively. Subjects were classified randomly in to three equal (N =30) groups viz., IMAE-group, RCAE-group and control group (CG). Significant differences between and within the groups were analyzed using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Statistical significance was accepted at P < 0.05. After 16wks of IMAE a significant %BF (P= <0.05) was obtained at the end of the exercise program for IMAE-group. A similar significant result was found in the case of RCAE when the result was compared to CG. However, RCAE did not show significant %BF (P = > 0.05) when the result was compared to IMAE-group. This implies that RT was masked by aerobic exercise. Therefore; two days/wks inclusion of RT is not adequate enough for 16wks training program to show significant alteration of %BF in sedentary overweight adults. The CG did not show any change of %BF throughout the study.