AUTHOR=Collins Katherine A. , Fos Liezl B. , Ross Leanna M. , Slentz Cris A. , Davis Paul G. , Willis Leslie H. , Piner Lucy W. , Bateman Lori A. , Houmard Joseph A. , Kraus William E. 

TITLE=Aerobic, Resistance, and Combination Training on Health-Related Quality of Life: The STRRIDE-AT/RT Randomized Trial

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Sports and Active Living

VOLUME=Volume 2 - 2020

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2020.620300

DOI=10.3389/fspor.2020.620300

ISSN=2624-9367

ABSTRACT=Purpose The main purpose of this study was to determine the differential effects of aerobic training (AT), resistance training (RT), and a combination of aerobic and resistance training (AT/RT) on changes in self-rated HrQoL measures, including the Short-Form 36 (SF-36) survey and Satisfaction with Physical Function and Appearance survey. We also sought to determine if combination  training (AT/RT) has a more or less additive effect compared to AT or RT alone on self-rated HrQoL measures.  
Materials and Methods Participants (n=137) completed one of three eight-month exercise interventions: 1)AT: 14 kcal exercise expenditure per kg of body weight per week (KKW; equivalent to roughly 12 miles/week) at 65-80% of peak oxygen consumption; 2) RT: 3 days per week, 8 exercises, 3 sets per exercise, 8-12 repetitions per set; 3) AT/RT: full combination of the AT and RT interventions. The SF-36 survey, Satisfaction with Physical Function and Appearance survey, physical fitness, and anthropometrics were assessed at baseline and post-intervention. Paired t-tests determined significant pre- versus post-intervention scores within groups (p<0.05). Analyses of covariance determined differences in change scores among groups (p<0.05).   
Results On average, participants were 49.0 + 10.6 years old, obese (BMI: 30.6 + 3.2 kg/m2), female (57.7%), and Caucasian (84.7%). Following the eight-month intervention, exercise groups improved peak VO2 (all groups), strength (RT and AT/RT), and anthropometric measures (AT and AT/RT).   For the SF-36, RT (p=0.03) and AT/RT (p<0.001) significantly improved their physical component score; only AT/RT (p<0.001) significantly improved their mental component score. Notably, all groups significantly improved both their satisfaction with physical function and appearance scores (All Groups: p<0.001 for both outcomes).  
Conclusions We found that aerobic, resistance, or combination exercise training improves several components of self-rated HrQoL, including physical function, appearance, and mental well-being.