The Effect Of Resistance Exercise On Body Composition And Cardiometabolic Outcomes In Young Black Women

Black women have the lowest rates of physical activity coupled with high prevalence of obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors. Resistance exercise (RE) has been shown to mitigate these health risks, however its effects in young Black women have been understudied. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a 10-week RE program on body composition, blood pressure (BP), and lipid profiles in young Black women. Methods: Fourteen young Black women (M: 22.7 ± 3.6 yrs) were recruited to participate in a 10-week, biweekly RE program. At pre- and post-testing visits, body composition was assessed using the iDEXA (fat mass, lean body mass, bone mineral density, body fat percentage), blood pressure was assessed with an automated Omron monitor, and blood lipid profiles [total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoproteins (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and glucose] were assessed using the LDX Cholestech in a fasted state. Paired samples t-test determined significant differences between the two timepoints. Results: Significant differences were seen in lean body mass (pre: 45.45 kg ± 5.90, post: 46.81 kg ± 6.47, p = .001), body fat percentage (pre: 38.15% ± 11.94, post: 37.38% ± 11.80, p = .013), and diastolic BP (pre: 79.04mmHG ± 7.79, post: 73.82mmHG ± 8.50, p = .013). No other variables showed significant differences. Conclusion: Ten weeks of RE demonstrates improvements in components of body composition and BP in young Black women. Future studies would benefit from larger sample sizes and varying doses of RE to determine if these outcomes can be amplified.