20th Annual Student Research Conference
Human Potential and Performance
Comparison of Strength Gains in Underweight and Obese Male and Female College Students
Kristen L. Scheller* and Francine E. Schafer
Dr. Jerry Mayhew and Prof. Melody Jennings, Faculty Mentors
The purpose of this study was to determine the amount of upper-body strength gained from resistance training among underweight and obese college men and women. Weight category was determined by BMI (underweight < 20 kg/m2; obese >= 30 kg/m2). Each participant performed a 1-RM bench press before and after training for 12 weeks. A gender by weight group ANOVA revealed no significant main effects or interactions for absolute or relative strength gains. Absolute strength improved by an average of 6.6 kg (±5.2 kg) or 15.0% (±11.0%). Males did show a tendency (p = 0.06) to gain more strength (8.4 ± 5.7 kg or 16.8 ± 12.5%) than females (5.3 ± 4.4 kg or 12.6 ± 8.3%). Men and women appear to gain a comparable amount of upper-body strength when training similarly. In addition, there is not difference in the amount of strength gained by underweight and obese individuals.
Keywords: 1 RM , strength gains, underweight, obese, BMI
Topic(s):Exercise Science
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 21-3
Location: VH 1000
Time: 10:15 am