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Objective:

To investigate the specific impact of resistance training (RT) with or without caloric restriction (CR) on physical capacity in obese older women.

Design:

Forty-eight postmenopausal obese women, physically independent and between the ages of 55 and 75 years were recruited. The women were randomly assigned to one of four groups (1: RT [n= 12], 2: CR [n= 12], 3: CR+ RT [n= 12], or 4: control group [C; n= 12]) for 3 months. CR and CR+ RT groups participated in a weekly group session on nutrition, and RT and CR+ RT groups took part in a resistance training program. Physical capacity was measured with 11 different performance tests. A global physical capacity score (range, 0-44) was then computed using quartiles of each test. Body composition was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.

Results:

Body weight, total fat mass, percentage of fat mass, and body mass index (kg/m 2) significantly …