The influence of combined training sequence on adiposity indices in overweight women

OBJECTIVES: This study examined whether the sequence of combined training (strength followed by endurance vs. endurance followed by strength) differentially affects adiposity- and metabolism-related indices in overweight and normal-weight women. METHODS: Sixty-six sedentary women, including overweight (n = 32; 25 ≤ BMI ≤ 30 kg/m²) and normal-weight (n = 34; 20 ≤ BMI ≤ 25 kg/m²), were randomly allocated to six groups: normal-weight S+E (n = 12), normal-weight E+S (n = 12), overweight S+E (n = 10), overweight E+S (n = 10), normal-weight control (n = 12), and overweight control (n = 10). Endurance training was performed on a cycle ergometer (60%-88% HRmax), and resistance training was conducted at 40%-75% of one-repetition maximum. RESULTS: MANCOVA adjusted for baseline values revealed a significant main effect of group for adiposity- and metabolism-related indices, including AVI, BAI, TyG-WC, TyG-BMI, WHtR², McAuley index, CRI-I, and CRI-II (p < 0.05), with no effects of weight status or group × weight status interaction (p > 0.05). Post hoc analyses indicated both training groups (S+E and E+S) exhibited significantly improved values compared with the control for AVI, BAI, TyG-derived indices, and McAuley index (p < 0.05), with no differences between sequences. Limited sequence-dependent effects were observed for LAP, WHtR², and CRI-II, whereas no between-group differences were detected for CI, HOMA-IR, AIP, MOAD, VAI, or CRI-I. CONCLUSION: Both combined training sequences resulted in significant changes in several adiposity- and metabolic-related indices compared with control, with sequence-specific differences evident for selected markers. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: IRCT2017080319995N8.