A Benefit of Being Heavier Is Being Strong: a Cross-Sectional Study in Young Adults
Abstract Background In this study, the main hypothesis is that heavier people enjoy strength exercises more than normal-weight people, mediated by fat-free mass and muscle strength. Further, it is hypothesized that heavier people are better in strength exercises and enjoy strength exercises more com...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2018-03-01
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| Series: | Sports Medicine - Open |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40798-018-0125-4 |
| _version_ | 1811230835872890880 |
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| author | Gill A. ten Hoor Guy Plasqui Annemie M. W. J. Schols Gerjo Kok |
| author_facet | Gill A. ten Hoor Guy Plasqui Annemie M. W. J. Schols Gerjo Kok |
| author_sort | Gill A. ten Hoor |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background In this study, the main hypothesis is that heavier people enjoy strength exercises more than normal-weight people, mediated by fat-free mass and muscle strength. Further, it is hypothesized that heavier people are better in strength exercises and enjoy strength exercises more compared to aerobic exercises. Methods In a cross-sectional study, height, weight, body composition (i.e., fat mass and fat-free mass by underwater weighing), muscle strength (i.e., one-repetition maximal strength for the leg press and chest press), maximal aerobic exertion (VO2max) during cycle ergometry, and psychological determinants (i.e., attitudes, intentions, and self-determined motivations for strength exercises and aerobic exercises using questionnaires) were measured in 68 participants (18–30 years). Results Significant correlations between weight/BMI and fat-free mass (index) (r values = .70–.80, p values < .001), fat-free mass and muscle strength (r values = .35–.55, p values < .05), and muscle strength and attitudes, intentions, and motivation for strength exercises were found (r values = .29–.43, p values < .05); BMI was related to psychological determinants via fat-free mass and muscle strength. Furthermore, participants with a higher BMI are significantly better in strength exercises, more intrinsically motivated, and less motivated to do strength exercises compared to aerobic exercises (all p values < .05). Trends in the same direction were found for the following variables: instrumental attitude, experiential attitude, and intention (p values < .1). Conclusions Strength exercises could be more appropriate for heavier people and might therefore be a valuable component in physical activity programs for people who are overweight or obese. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T10:35:49Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5d211f1a73bd4ab9b5dc36bdc591a33e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2199-1170 2198-9761 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T10:35:49Z |
| publishDate | 2018-03-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sports Medicine - Open |
| spelling | doaj.art-5d211f1a73bd4ab9b5dc36bdc591a33e2022-12-22T03:36:44ZengSpringerOpenSports Medicine - Open2199-11702198-97612018-03-01411910.1186/s40798-018-0125-4A Benefit of Being Heavier Is Being Strong: a Cross-Sectional Study in Young AdultsGill A. ten Hoor0Guy Plasqui1Annemie M. W. J. Schols2Gerjo Kok3Department of Human Biology, Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Centre+Department of Human Biology, Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Centre+Department of Respiratory Medicine, Research School NUTRIM, Maastricht University Medical CentreDepartment of Work and Social Psychology, Maastricht UniversityAbstract Background In this study, the main hypothesis is that heavier people enjoy strength exercises more than normal-weight people, mediated by fat-free mass and muscle strength. Further, it is hypothesized that heavier people are better in strength exercises and enjoy strength exercises more compared to aerobic exercises. Methods In a cross-sectional study, height, weight, body composition (i.e., fat mass and fat-free mass by underwater weighing), muscle strength (i.e., one-repetition maximal strength for the leg press and chest press), maximal aerobic exertion (VO2max) during cycle ergometry, and psychological determinants (i.e., attitudes, intentions, and self-determined motivations for strength exercises and aerobic exercises using questionnaires) were measured in 68 participants (18–30 years). Results Significant correlations between weight/BMI and fat-free mass (index) (r values = .70–.80, p values < .001), fat-free mass and muscle strength (r values = .35–.55, p values < .05), and muscle strength and attitudes, intentions, and motivation for strength exercises were found (r values = .29–.43, p values < .05); BMI was related to psychological determinants via fat-free mass and muscle strength. Furthermore, participants with a higher BMI are significantly better in strength exercises, more intrinsically motivated, and less motivated to do strength exercises compared to aerobic exercises (all p values < .05). Trends in the same direction were found for the following variables: instrumental attitude, experiential attitude, and intention (p values < .1). Conclusions Strength exercises could be more appropriate for heavier people and might therefore be a valuable component in physical activity programs for people who are overweight or obese.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40798-018-0125-4OverweightBody compositionStrengthMotivationAttitude |
| spellingShingle | Gill A. ten Hoor Guy Plasqui Annemie M. W. J. Schols Gerjo Kok A Benefit of Being Heavier Is Being Strong: a Cross-Sectional Study in Young Adults Sports Medicine - Open Overweight Body composition Strength Motivation Attitude |
| title | A Benefit of Being Heavier Is Being Strong: a Cross-Sectional Study in Young Adults |
| title_full | A Benefit of Being Heavier Is Being Strong: a Cross-Sectional Study in Young Adults |
| title_fullStr | A Benefit of Being Heavier Is Being Strong: a Cross-Sectional Study in Young Adults |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Benefit of Being Heavier Is Being Strong: a Cross-Sectional Study in Young Adults |
| title_short | A Benefit of Being Heavier Is Being Strong: a Cross-Sectional Study in Young Adults |
| title_sort | benefit of being heavier is being strong a cross sectional study in young adults |
| topic | Overweight Body composition Strength Motivation Attitude |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40798-018-0125-4 |
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