Eight Weeks of Concurrent Aerobic and Resistance Training Improves Cardiometabolic and Physical Health Parameters among Blacks in El Paso without a Change in Body Weight

Authors

Joshua Labadah, The University of Texas at El PasoFollow
Jehu Apaflo, The University of Texas at El PasoFollow
Sudip Bajpeyi, The University of Texas at El PasoFollow

Abstract

Exercise is beneficial in improving cardiometabolic and physical health. Minority populations such as Blacks have been shown to have higher risk and prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases and yet have been less studied for the benefits of exercise compared to their White counterparts. PURPOSE: To determine the effect of 8-weeks concurrent aerobic and resistance training on cardiometabolic and physical health parameters among a population of Black African adults. METHODS: Ten sedentary/moderately active young Black African adults living in the El Paso, Texas, of age (27.1±4.3 years); fasting blood glucose (87.30±20.18 mg/dL); body mass index, BMI (25.37±5.14 kg/m²), males/females (6/4) participated in this study. Participants performed an 8-week combined exercise training (3 times/week) comprising of 35 minutes of aerobic exercise (65% to 70% VO2max) followed by resistance training of 3 upper and 3 lower body exercises (60% to 75% 1RM) per session. Glycated hemoglobin was measured as a metric of glycemic control and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was used as a surrogate for systemic inflammation. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure body composition. Relative skeletal muscle index (RSMI) was calculated by dividing lean mass of limbs by height, hand grip strength was measured with a handheld dynamometer, skeletal muscle quality was inferred from grip strength to lean mass index (GSLMI). Cardiorespiratory fitness (VO₂peak) and anaerobic capacity were inferred from maximum oxygen consumption test and relative average power during a 30-second Wingate test respectively. Pre intervention and post intervention data was compared by Wilcoxon matched-paired signed rank test at 0.05 significance level. RESULTS: Eight weeks of concurrent exercise training improved systolic blood pressure (102.80±12.23 to 96.67±9.32 mmHg, p<0.05); diastolic blood pressure (63.76±9.90 to 57.39±6.71 mmHg, p<0.05); HbA1c (5.34±0.77 to 5.15±0.61%, p<0.05); ESR (9.05±4.74 to 4.4±1.27 mm/hr, p<0.05); body fat (30.57±11.61 to 29.16±11.18 %, p<0.05); RSMI (7.96 to 8.29, p<0.05); grip strength (79.05±24.03 to 88.68±22.40 kg, p<0.05); GSLMI (1.66±0.27 to 1.83±0.25, p<0.05); VO₂peak (30.77±7.94 to 37.16±8.76 ml/kg/min, p<0.05); relative average power (1.95±0.36 to 2.39 ±0.30 W/kg, p<0.05); while visceral fat, BMI and body weight (463.00±535.30 to 487.60±535.30 cm³, p>0.05); (25.37±5.15 to 25.46±50.9 kg/m², p>0.05) and (71.74±15.74 to 71.99±15.34 kg, p>0.05) respectively remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: Concurrent aerobic and resistance exercise training improves blood pressure, glycemic control, inflammation, body composition, grip strength, skeletal muscle quality, cardiorespiratory fitness and anaerobic capacity among sedentary and moderately active young Black Africans without a change in body weight. Exercise improves health irrespective of loss in body weight.

Recommended Citation

Labadah, Joshua; Apaflo, Jehu; and Bajpeyi, Sudip (2025) "Eight Weeks of Concurrent Aerobic and Resistance Training Improves Cardiometabolic and Physical Health Parameters among Blacks in El Paso without a Change in Body Weight," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2: Iss. 17, Article 120.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss17/120