Effects of combined resistance and aerobic training on body composition and functional capacity in middle-aged adults

This 12-week intervention study investigated the effects of a combined resistance and aerobic training (CT) program on body composition and functional capacity in sedentary middle-aged adults (n = 64; 32 males, 32 females; mean age 51.3 ± 6.2 years). Participants underwent supervised CT sessions three times weekly. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, week 6, and week 12, including fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), phase angle (PhA), handgrip strength (HGS), and estimated ̇VO2max. Significant reductions in FM (−3.6 ± 1.1 kg) and increases in FFM (+1.8 ± 0.7 kg) and PhA (+0.6 ± 0.2°) were observed. Functional capacity improved markedly, with HGS increasing by 4.2 ± 1.3 kg (males) and 3.1 ± 1.1 kg (females), and ̇VO2max by 4.6 ± 1.5 ml/kg/min. Correlational and regression analyses revealed PhA as a strong predictor of functional gains. No significant changes in diet or physical activity outside the intervention were noted. The findings support the utility of CT in enhancing health-related outcomes during middle age and suggest that PhA may serve as a practical biomarker of exercise responsiveness.