Effects of resistance training on body composition, blood lipids and serum leptin level in the obese children

Objective To explore the effects of resistance training on body composition,blood lipids and serum leptin in obese children.Methods Eighteen obese children (9 girls and 9 boys) were given 3 days per week resistance training for 8 weeks.Body composition (body weight,body mass index,muscle mass and trunk muscle mass,body fat mass and body fat percentage),blood lipids (total cholesterol,TC;triacylglycerol,TG;low density lipoproterin,LDL;high-de-nsity lipoprotein,HDL) and serum leptin level were tested before and after the resistance training intervention.Results After 8-week resistance training intervention,serum leptin,TG and LDL levels significantly decreased(P<0.01 for leptin,P<0.05 for TG and LDL),HDL level increased (P< 0.01) in obese children;Body weight,BMI,body fat mass,upper limb (left and right) and trunk fat mass significantly decreased (P<0.01,P<0.05),muscle mass and trunk muscle mass significantly increased (P<0.05) in obese boys;BMI,body fat mass,upper,lower limb (right) and trunk fat mass significantly decreased (P<0.01,P<0.05),muscle mass and trunk muscle mass significantly increased among obese girls (P<0.01).Conclusion Eight-week resistance training has significantly reduced BMI,body fat mass and serum leptin level,increased muscle mass in obese children.The reduction in fat mass and increases in blood lipid might relate to reduction of serum leptin due to resistance training in obese children.