Keywords

obesity, resistance training, strength training, self-efficacy, overweight, adolescents, children, psychology, self-esteem, self-confidence, self, exercise, exercise compliance, exercise avoidance, child, adolescent, resistance exercise

Abstract

The purpose of this study is evaluating the relationship between resistance training and its effects on obese adolescents with the purpose of reducing physical inactivity. One method includes improving strength in obese children through strength exercises. As well as the effectiveness of resistance training on psychological components such as self-efficacy, exercise competence, and self-esteem as a means of increasing long term exercise adherence.

Research included in this study follow the CDC’s recommendation of youth strength training: 6-17 years old (2022e). Databases such University of Central Florida Library, PubMed, SportDiscus, and Journal of Strength and Conditioning were used to find appropriate research studies and meta-analyses. Key terms related to resistance training were used such as: resistance exercise, weight training and resistance bands. To narrow down the information in relation to age terms such as: youth, teen, child, student, pediatric and adolescents were used in conjunction to obesity and overweight to specify the desired population. Since, this study aims to explore the benefits of resistance training on self-esteem and its connection to weight compliance terms psych, psychology, mood, depression, self-efficacy, and psychosocial. Studies not conducted in America were still included. Lastly, this analysis does not claim that obesity is caused by psychological components, but rather psychology may influence individual’s desires to continually participate in exercise.

Overweight and obesity are both classifications of weight that is greater than what is considered healthy and represents a complex and chronic disease ([WHO], 2024). Overweight BMI in children ([CDC], 2023): 85th to < 95th percentile. Obese BMI in children ([CDC], 2023): >95th percentile Households that have at least one obese person are (Benioff Children’s Hospital, n.d.): 50 percent more likely to suffer from obesity themselves, and 80 percent if both parents are obese. Obese people are typically unhappy with their bodies and as a result, develop body image issues (Radoszewska 2017).

One out of the five studies found favorable adaptations in peak torque of the knee: extension, flexion, and total work because of resistance intervention (Dias et al., 2015). Three out of five studies included determined statistically significant improvements due to strength training intervention alone. Schranz et al., (2014) reported moderate to large statistically significant improvements in the resistance training group in comparison to the control participants at three months for leg press; six months for bench and leg press. Similarly, Alberga et al., (2016) found that in the most adherent participants, the resistance group displayed significantly greater increases of strength in leg press compared to combined aerobic and resistance. (Yu et al., 2008) concluded that the diet and resistance training group had significantly greater improvement in hand grip tests and sit-up tests in comparison to the diet- only group even though both did see improvement by the end of the study. one aimed to evaluate strength but lacked specific reports on the muscle groups that had improved due to strength training, nor was there a strength category presented in the results (Sgro et al., 2009). This highlights a gap in the literature regarding the detailed assessment of strength outcomes following resistance training interventions for obese individuals. However, the same study found that significant improvements in lean mass also occurred at weeks 8, 16, and 24 for the 16-week group (G16) and 24-week group (G24). Additionally, they determined that static jump was significantly increased at week 24 for the G24 group. Alberga et al. (2016) indicate that musculoskeletal fitness exhibited a greater increase in the combined aerobic and resistance group compared to the isolated aerobic group. The combined aerobic and resistance group showed greater increases in leg press, bench press, and seated row when compared to the aerobic group. Furthermore, the combined group did not have significant changes in muscular strength when compared to the resistance group for leg press. In conclusion, findings demonstrate that aerobic exercise alone improved cardiorespiratory fitness, while resistance exercise alone enhanced muscular endurance. Interestingly, the combined approach yielded comparable improvements in both aspects of fitness, highlighting the potential synergistic effects of integrating aerobic and resistance training modalities.

Six studies were included as sources of research. (Yu et al., 2008; Schranz et al., 2013) studies concluded that there were significant developments in psychology. Yu et al., (2008) concluded that there was an improvement in self-concept of endurance in the Intervention diet- and-strength Group. As well as improvement in strength for both Intervention and Control Group. Schranz and colleagues (2013) communicated statistically significant differences in the Intervention and the Control Group for self-efficacy, large effect for resistance training on global-self-esteem, with data in favor of the Intervention group after a 6-month training program. However post-evaluations at the 12-month mark, outcomes returned to baseline levels. (Collins et al., 2019) reported that resistance training has a small to moderate effect on global self-worth, physical self-worth, and perceived strength and is the only study out of the six included to report on psychology and perceived body attractiveness. However, body attractiveness was not significantly impacted by resistance training after data was extracted from relevant articles. Two studies had inclusive results. Schranz and collogues (2013) supported inconclusive, yet positive impact on the impact of resistance training on physical self-worth. Hoor et al., (2016) synopsized information from legitimate research and studies, whether they supported resistance training’s influence on psychology or founded data could not concretely support the claim.

Thesis Completion Year

204

Thesis Completion Semester

Spring

Thesis Chair

Valdes, Anna

College

College of Health Professions and Sciences

Thesis Discipline

Kinesiology Exercise and Sport Physiology

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus Access

None

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

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In Copyright