The Workout Doesn’t Matter

A new study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that athletes experience similar post-workout benefits whether adhering to an exercise training regimen or physical activity recommendations. Researchers from the Technical University of Madrid and La Paz University Hospital studied whether exercise type combined with diet type made a significant difference on body weight and composition. Ninety-six obese study participants followed a supervised, 22-week diet and exercise program. All adhered to a similar reduced-calorie diet and were randomly assigned to follow one of four different types of exercise training programs (strength training, endurance training, and combined strength and endurance training or physical activity recommendations). After working out for the same amount of time and sticking to the same low-caloric eating habits, the researchers found that—despite each participant’s fitness focus—weight loss outcomes were positive and equally effective across the board.  bit.ly/1DEcHlt