Effects of Exercise Mode on Cardiac Fat and Function

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The overall goal of this project is to study the effects of exercise energy expenditure matched vigorous dynamic resistance training and aerobic training on cardiac fat, and its relationship to cardiac function and geometry using cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Detailed Description
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Exercise-induced weight-loss is one of the most common strategies for reducing excess fat in overweight and obese individuals. Although vigorous intensity may be more favorable promoting positive cardiac adaptations compared to low-moderate intensity, evidence of the positive effects of different exercise modes needs to be explored to allow for realistic comparisons with other strategies. Research using cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging that compares the effects of different modes of exercise - matched by exercise energy expenditure - on epicardial adipose tissue and paracardial adipose tissue, and how these interventions modify cardiac function and geometry have not been previously explored in obesity.

Official Title
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Effects of Exercise Mode on Cardiac Fat and Function

Conditions
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Obesity

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Resistance training
* Other: Aerobic interval training


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Sedentary Caucasian BMI >30 kg/m2 and < 39.9 kg/m2 Exclusion Criteria: Known cardiovascular, metabolic, pulmonary disease or conditions Muscular-skeletal injuries Taking medications that affect endocrine or cardiovascular function Hypertension Being engaged in low intensity strength training more than two times per week or moderate-high intensity of any type of frequency Being pregnant Cigarette smoking Having non-removable pieces or devices incompatible with DXA and CMR assessment.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 35 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Resistance training group<br>Resistance training will consist of a supervised circuit training 3 sessions/week for approximately 45-50 min/session. The circuit will include 7 strength exercises engaging the major muscle groups (leg press, rows, back squats, weighted crunches, deadlifts, bench press, and squat jumps with weights). The participants will perform 3 sets of 10 repetitions with resting periods of 30 seconds between exercises, and 2 minutes between sets. The overall OMNI-Resistance Exercise Scale per set will range between 8-10. Heart rate and exercise energy expenditure during the workout will be monitored. The load will be changed depending on the participants' perception when needed. In addition, the intensity will be monitored assessing Lactate concentrations at baseline and at the end of each session. Circuit will be repeated until meeting the targeted exercise energy expenditure of 450-500 kcal/session. | Other: Resistance training<br>* The resistance training group<br>|
| Experimental: Aerobic interval training group<br>Aerobic interval will consist of a supervised aerobic interval training sessions 3 times/week. Duration will range between 45-50 min/session depending on the exercise energy expenditure. Each interval will have a total duration of 5 min, and it will be divided into 2 periods. The first period will consist of 3 minutes of high-intensity activity, and the second period the intensity will be reduced for 2 minutes. The speed/incline will be changed depending on the participants' heart rate and perception using the Borg's rating of perceived exertion as needed. Heart rate and exercise energy expenditure during the workout will be monitored. Intensity will be monitored assessing Lactate concentrations at the end of each session. Intervals will be repeated until meeting the targeted exercise energy expenditure (450-500 kcal/session). | Other: Aerobic interval training<br>* The aerobic interval training group<br>|
| No Intervention: Control group<br>Participants in the control group will not participate in the training programs. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Changes in Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) | EAT will be measured using cardiac Magnetic Resonance | 2 assessment points: at baseline and week 4 | 
| Changes in Vascular Health | Atrial stiffness will be measured using a pulse wave analysis | 2 assessment points: at baseline and week 4 | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Changes in Paracardial adipose tissue (PAT) | PAT will be measured using cardiac Magnetic Resonance | 2 assessment points: at baseline and week 4 | 
| Changes in Body Composition | Body composition will be measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry | 2 assessment points: at baseline and week 4 | 
| Changes in Cardiorespiratory Function | Cardiorespiratory Function will be measured on a treadmill with a metabolic cart | 2 assessment points: at baseline and week 4 | 
| Changes in Muscular Strength | Muscular Strength will be assessed by 1 repetition maximum (1RM) test | 2 assessment points: at baseline and week 4 | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Cardiac Fat, Cardiac Magnetic Resonance, Vascular Health, Obesity, Exercise