Beneficial effects of exercise: shifting the focus from body weight to other markers of health
Open accessAbstract
Background: Exercise is widely promoted as a method of weight management, while the other health benefits are often ignored. The purpose of this study was to examine whether exercise-induced improvements in health are influenced by changes in body weight. Methods: Fifty-eight sedentary overweight/obese men and women (BMI 31.8 (SD 4.5) kg/m 2) participated in a 12-week supervised aerobic exercise intervention (70% heart rate max, five times a week, 500 kcal per session). Body composition, anthropometric parameters, aerobic capacity, blood pressure and acute psychological response to exercise were measured at weeks 0 and 12. Results: The mean reduction in body weight was −3.3 (3.63) kg (p<0.01). However, 26 of the 58 participants failed to attain the predicted weight loss estimated from individuals’ exercise-induced energy expenditure. Their mean weight loss was only −0.9 (1.8) kg (p<0.01). Despite attaining a lower-than-predicted weight reduction, these individuals experienced significant increases in aerobic capacity (6.3 (6.0) ml/kg/min; p<0.01), and a decreased systolic (−6.00 (11.5) mm Hg; p<0.05) and diastolic blood pressure (−3.9 (5.8) mm Hg; p<0.01), waist circumference (−3.7 (2.7) cm; p<0.01) and resting heart rate (−4.8 (8.9) bpm, p<0.001). In addition, these individuals experienced an acute exercise-induced increase in positive mood. Conclusions: These data demonstrate that significant and meaningful health benefits can be achieved even in the presence of lower-than-expected exercise-induced weight loss. A less successful reduction in body weight does not undermine the beneficial effects of aerobic exercise. From a public health perspective, exercise should be encouraged and the emphasis on weight loss reduced.
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The health benefits of regular exercise are independent of any changes in body weight.
“it is well established that the health benefits of regular exercise are independent of any changes in body weight [12].”
From Appetite control and energy balance: Impact of exercise (2015) · cites this paper as [12]
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- Authors
- King, N. A., Hopkins, M., Caudwell, P., Stubbs, R. J., & Blundell, J. E.
- Affiliations
- Queensland University of Technology (AU)
- University of Leeds (GB)
- Corresponding author
- King, N A
- Venue
- British Journal of Sports Medicine
- Publisher
- BMJ
- Published
- 2009-09-29
- Volume
- 43
- Issue
- 12
- Pages
- 924-927
- ISSN
- 0306-3674 (ISSN-L)
- 1473-0480
- OpenAlex
- W2135355897
- Cited by
- 137
- References
- 33
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 13
- FWCI
- 8.38
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- British Journal of Sports Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- QUT ePrints (Queensland University of Technology) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Directorate for Biological Sciences
- Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBS/B/05079)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
- Keywords
- aerobic exercise, overweight and obesity, weight loss, body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, blood pressure, waist circumference, resting heart rate, mood, sedentary adults, health benefits of exercise
- MeSH terms
- Affect, Blood Pressure, Body Weight, Energy Metabolism, Exercise Therapy, Female, Heart Rate, Humans, Male, Obesity, Weight Loss, Overweight, Sedentary Behavior
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