Effects of concurrent neuromuscular training on body composition, muscular fitness, and quality of life in outpatients with obesity: a randomized controlled trial

Background: The aim is to investigate whether integrating a therapeutic program, focused on concurrent training combined with neuromuscular exercises (CNET), within a multidisciplinary approach can positively impact body composition, muscular fitness, and quality of life in adults with obesity compared with a single-mode intervention. Methods: Three-arm randomized controlled trial design. Ninety-one outpatients (54.7 [7.6] y) were randomly assigned into CNET, resistance training, or aerobic training groups. The interventions lasted 10 weeks with a frequency of 2 days per week. Pre-post assessments were conducted in body mass index, waist circumference, fat mass (FM%), fat-free mass, functional movement screen, modified version of the Balance Error Scoring System, handgrip strength test, handgrip strength test asymmetry, five-repetition sit-to-stand power, and quality of life (EuroQol Five-dimensional Visual Analog Scale). Results: A significant time × group interaction, main effect of group and time were detected in all outcomes. CNET exhibited significant ameliorations compared with resistance training in functional movement screen (56%), modified version of the Balance Error Scoring System (86%), and FM% (70%), respectively. When compared with the aerobic training group, CNET showed enhancements in functional movement screen (62%), modified version of the Balance Error Scoring System (59%), five-repetition sit-to-stand power (4%), handgrip strength test (73%), handgrip strength test asymmetry (99%), FM% (60%), and fat-free mass (84%). Finally, resistance training outperformed aerobic training only in five-repetition sit-to-stand power (24%), handgrip strength test (73%), FM% (32%), and fat-free mass (79%) outcomes. Conclusion: CNET showed positive responses across all measured outcomes over 10 weeks compared to the other interventions, except for body mass index, waist circumference, and EuroQol Five-dimensional Visual Analog Scale. This exercise mode could be a feasible option to adopt when prescribing physical exercise to counteract obesity.