Interindividual variability and individual responses to exercise training in adolescents with obesity

This study investigated the impact of exercise training on interindividual variability and response rates in body composition and cardiometabolic outcomes in adolescents with obesity. Postpubertal males and females (n = 143) were randomly assigned to 6 months of a diet-only control or aerobic, resistance, or combined exercise training. Body composition indices were percentages of body fat mass and lean body mass and waist circumference. Biomarkers of cardiometabolic health were systolic blood pressure and plasma fasting glucose, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Interindividual variability was examined by comparing the standard deviation of individual responses (SD_IR) to a smallest robust change (SRC). The typical error of measurement was used to classify responses. SD_IR exceeded the SRC for percent body fat mass in all exercise groups (SRC = 1.04%; aerobic SD_IR = 1.50%; resistance SD_IR = 1.22%; combined SD_IR = 2.29%), percent lean body mass (SRC = 1.38%; SD_IR = 3.2%,), systolic blood pressure (SRC = 2.06 mm Hg; SD_IR = 4.92 mm Hg) in the resistance group, and waist circumference (SRC = 2.33 cm; SD_IR = 4.09 cm), and fasting glucose (SRC = 0.08 mmol/L; SD_IR = 0.28 mmol/L) in the combined group. However, half of the reported variables (11/21) did not have a positive SD_IR. Importantly, adverse response rates were significantly lower in all 3 exercise groups compared with control for body composition. Although exercise had a small influence on interindividual variability for indices of body composition, the rate of adverse responses did not increase for any outcome. Novelty Interindividual variability and individual responses to exercise training have not been investigated in adolescents with obesity. Six months of exercise training does not increase interindividual variability in adolescents with obesity. Exercise created a positive, uniform shift in responses.