Effects of a 10-week strength training intervention among community-dwelling females with eating disorders /

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a 10-week resistance training intervention on bone mineral density (BMD), body composition (BC), strength, depression, and eating-disordered tendencies in community-dwelling females with anorexia nervosa (AN) or eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS). The sample included 14 females, ages 17 years to 35 years, who were randomly assigned to an experimental or a control group. Participants were required to have a minimum body mass index (BMI) of 14 kg/m2 and a clinical diagnosis of AN or EDNOS. All participants completed a preparticipation screening questionnaire. In addition, participants completed a risk stratification questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), the Eating Disorders Inventory-3 (EDI-3), and the Incorporating More Physical Activity and Calcium in Teens Food Frequency Questionnaire (IMPACT FFQ) pre- and posttest. Body composition using skinfold calipers, estimated 1 repetition max (1-RM) of chest and legs, and BMD measures of the forearm, hip, and spine using dual energy x-ray absorptiometer (DXA) were also assessed pre- and post-intervention. Participants in the experimental group completed a 10-week, supervised, and progressive strength training program utilizing Nautilus strength training machines and free weights. Exercises targeted each major muscle group (leg press, lunges, lat pulldown, bench press, bicep curl, triceps extension, military press, and abdominal curls). Using a repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), it was determined that there were no differences in body fat percentage, BDI-II scores, or EDI-3 scores between the experimental and control groups following the intervention. Using a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), it was also determined there were no differences between the experimental and control groups on lumbar spine, hip, and forearm BMD. However, there was a significant increase (p less than .001) in chest and leg strength of the experimental group from pretest to posttest, but not for the control group. In addition, there were clinically relevant increases in BMD, as well as changes in body fat percentage and psychological measures between the two groups. These data show that community-dwelling women with eating disorders can participate in a supervised resistance training exercise program and experience positive physical and psychological results.