Nutrition programs enhance exercise effects on body composition and resting blood pressure
Wayne L Westcott1, Caroline M Apovian, Kimberly Puhala
1Department of Natural and Health Sciences, Quincy College, Quincy MA. wwestcott@quincycollege.edu.
Abstract:
The purpose of our study was to examine the effects of exercise alone and exercise combined with specific nutrition programs on body composition and resting blood pressure rate. Adult participants (99 women, 22 men; aged 20-86 years) completed a combined strength and endurance exercise program (Exercise Only), or in conjunction with 1 of 2 nutrition plans (Exercise/Protein; Exercise/Protein/Diet). The Exercise-Only group performed 1 set of 9 resistance machines regimens interspersed with 3 bouts of recumbent cycling (5 minutes each). The Exercise/Protein group performed the same exercise program as Exercise-Only group, plus consumed 1.5 g of protein per kg of ideal body weight on a daily basis. The Exercise/Protein/Diet group followed an identical Exercise/Protein protocol along with a restricted daily caloric intake (1200-1500 cals/day for women; 1500-1800 cals/day for men). After 10 weeks of training, the Exercise/Protein group attained greater increases (P < 0.05) in lean weight and greater decreases (P < 0.05) in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) rate than the Exercise-Only group. The Exercise/Protein/Diet group experienced greater reductions (P < 0.05) in body weight, body mass index (BMI), percent fat, fat weight, waist circumference (WC), systolic blood pressure (SBP) rate, and DBP rate than the Exercise-Only group, as well as greater reductions (P < 0.05) in body weight, BMI, percent fat, fat weight, and WC than the Exercise/Protein group. Our findings suggest that a higher protein nutrition plan may enhance the effects of exercise for increasing subject lean weight and decreasing DBP rate. The findings further indicate that a higher protein and lower calorie nutrition plan may enhance the effects of exercise for decreasing subject body weight, BMI, percent fat, fat weight, WC, SBP rate, and DBP rate, while attaining similar gains in lean body mass.
More Related Videos
07:26Conducting Maximal and Submaximal Endurance Exercise Testing to Measure Physiological and Biological Responses to Acute Exercise in Humans
Published on: October 17, 2018
06:13Author Spotlight: Exploring the Impact of Reduced Resistance Exercise Volume on Metabolic Health
Published on: December 1, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Exercise and Cardiac Output
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be...
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques III
The Role of Exercise in Stress Management
Regular physical activity is essential for reducing stress and promoting cardiovascular health. Exercise strengthens the heart, enhances blood flow, keeps blood vessels flexible, and helps lower blood pressure, all of which reduce the body's stress response. Research shows that adults who exercise regularly have nearly half the...
Exercise and Muscle Performance
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
Factors affecting Blood pressure
Physiological Factors:
Hormonal Regulation of Blood Pressure
Epinephrine and Norepinephrine
The adrenal medulla releases epinephrine and norepinephrine, catecholamines that enhance and extend the sympathetic or "fight or flight" physiological response. These hormones escalate heart rate and the force of contraction...
