BodyPump and Personal Training - Changes in Muscle Strength and Body Composition

Background Regular physical activity confers protection against a number of both physical and mental health disorders (Hallal et al 2006; Bauman 2004). Physical activity also produces health benefits related to overall physical fitness and physical performance (Kruk 2007; Pedersen \& Saltin 2006; Kesaniemi et al 2001). Physical activity can prevent cardiovascular diseases (Adedeji et al 2011, Anderssen \& Hjermann 2000), type 2 diabetes (Admiraal et al 2011), some types of cancer (Courneya \& Friedenreich 2011, Friedenreich 2001) and mental illness e.g anxiety and depression (Harris et al 2006; Pedersen \& Saltin 2006). Despite knowledge of benefits of regular physical activity, inactivity is a growing global problem (Kohl et al 2012).

At the same time prevalence of overweight (BMI≤25) and obesity (BMI≤30) has doubled between 1980 and 2008. In some regions, such as Europe and America, more than 50 % of women are overweight (Perèz Rodrigo 2013). About 35 % of the world's population over 20 years suffer from overweight, and 12 % are obese (WHO, 2008). In Norway around one in five adults has developed obesity (Ulset et al 2007).

During the last two decades the fitness industry worldwide has increased considerably in both number of centers and number of members, and with this, there have been major changes in training opportunities (Bakken Ulseth 2003; Ommundsen \& Aadland 2009). In 1987, 8 % of the adult Norwegian population reported to exercise at a fitness centre, compared with 25 % in 2007 (Ommundsen and Aadland 2009). Today the fitness industry is the arena most women seek when they start physical activity (Vaage, 2004), but there is very little research about factors related to physical activity among those who choose to be physically active at fitness-centres.

Resistance training has become a popular form of exercise for both women and men of all ages, and especially women do more resistance training today than in the past (Breivik, 2010). The health benefits of resistance training are many. With proper dosage and regular exercise it can increase muscle and connective tissue cross-sectional area and bone mineral density, improve functional capacity, reduce body fat, increase basal metabolic rate, decrease blood pressure, improve blood lipid values, glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity (Kelley \& Kelley 2000; Pollock et al 2000; Feigenbaum \& Pollock 1999). These benefits, as well as performance-related benefits, can improve quality of life in different populations, such as those with overweight and obesity (Pollock et al 2000).

The effect on muscle strength varies between studies, which may be attributed to factors such as study design, methods and genetics. Yet untrained people can generally expect an increase in 1RM (one repetition maximum) of 30-40 % after 12 weeks (Raastad et al 2010). Increase of muscle volume (hypertrophy) in untrained individuals seems to be best achieved at a load of 60-80 % of 1 RM (6-15 repetitions). Increase in maximum strength for untrained is located at 70-85 % of 1 RM (4-8 reps), while local endurance strength is at 20-60 % of 1 RM (15 repetitions or more) (Raastad et al 2010).

Body Pump With increased activity in the fitness industry the provision of premade training sessions and concepts have increased accordingly. Within group-training classes, there are several different concepts with focus on muscle strength. Best known worldwide is Body Pump (BP) by Les Mills (www.lesmills.com). Les Mills International has been around since 1997 and is originally from New Zealand. Entrepreneur, Phillip Mills, developed a series of group-training classes with music, including BP. Today, over 14 000 fitness centers in the world offers group-training classes from Les Mills. In the Nordic countries 1039 centres offers BP, and 179 of these are in Norway (www.lesmills.com).

BP intend to increase muscle strength and local muscular endurance, reduce fat mass (change body composition), as well as maintain or increase lean body mass (Les Mills International Limited 2007). The class contains 10 to 12 strength training exercises with barbell, weights and a step, and it is pre-choreographed for all instructors. Number of repetitions throughout the class varies between muscle groups, but is generally high. Les Mills certifies instructors and offer refresher courses four times a year. The fitness centers offering BP pays a monthly license and receive new programs four times a year. Les Mills advertises that BP is suitable for both women and men, that the training session will burn up to 600 calories, increase muscle strength, improve public health, strengthen bones and give a sense of good wellbeing (www.lesmills.com).

Currently few studies have examined the effect of BP or similar group-training classes on physical or mental health. Oliveria et al (2009) examined the effect on muscle activity during a single workout class with BP. They concluded that BP can improve muscle strength, but probably not affect cardiorespiratory factors. Internally published reports from the University of Auckland examined both the long-term effects of BP (Lythe et al 2000), as well as energy consumption during a single workout (Pfitzinger \& Lythe 1999). Lythe et al recruited inactive women and men (n = 40), with an intervention period of 13 weeks of training (2-4 sessions per week). The results showed a significant reduction in skinfold thickness measured with caliper, when no other exercise or dietary changes were made. They also found an increase in muscle strength (6 RM bench press and legpress) and positive effect on psychological factors such as self-esteem and self-image. This study had no control group (Lythe et al 2000). Another internal report examined energy consumption during one session, and found that calorie consumption on average were 483 calories for men and 338 calories for women (Pfitzinger \& Lythe 1999). The subjects in this study had experience with regular BP for three months ahead of the polls.

Greco et al (2011) conducted a RCT in which they examined both muscle strength and changes in endurance after 12 weeks of BP on 19 untrained women (2 sessions per week). The results showed no changes in either endurance or body composition. However, they found significant changes in maximal muscle strength in the lower body and muscular endurance (Greco et al 2011).

Personal Trainer A relatively new profession, emerged in the past 20 years both in Norway and internationally, is the Personal Trainer (PT). PT's produces training program to their clients, and follow them over longer periods. They also instruct proper execution and technique, correct the training, control the intensity and serve as motivators (Ratamess et al 2008). The title "personal trainer" is not protected, and the exact number of PT's in Norway is unknown. Besides PT, most fitness centers offer a training manual with one hour instruction, included in the membership. They also offer one hour follow up with individual coaching after some weeks, but the members carry out the training on their own (www.sats.no).

To our knowledge only one RCT has examined the impact of training with a PT (Mazetti et al 2000). During a 12-week training program they found that the participants managed to train with heavier weights with a PT, compared with a group without a personal trainer. The group with PT also showed greater improvements in muscle strengths and greater increase in 1 RM. In addition the study found that those exercising with a PT subsequently choose heavier loads than those without a PT. A cross-sectional study found that customers chose heavier loads and had greater strength gains after a training period with PT, compared with a group without a PT (Ratamess et al 2008).

To date, little is known about the effect of BP, despite the large number of participants who perform this group-training session daily. There are also many unanswered questions regarding the effect of exercising with a PT, and if there is any differences in efficacy between exercising in groups, with a PT or alone. The questions related to this field are important in relation to a general public health perspective, as well as the time and finances customers put into the concept.

This study is a well-designed RCT, where the main purpose is to investigate the effect of regular muscle strength and changes in body composition in overweight (BMI ˂ 25) "not regularly exercising" women aged 18-65 years, after 12 weeks of BP, compared with an inactive control group. The study is four armed and will also measure energy expenditure during one session of BP. At the same time, the project will investigate the effect in muscle strength and changes in body composition in group training with, respective without, a PT.

Articles

• The effect of 12 weeks of Body Pump and traditional strength training with and without a personal trainer on muscle strength and muscle mass in adult overweight females. A randomized controlled trial.
• Energy consumption during and after one exercise session of Body Pump in adult overweight women.
• The effect of 12 weeks of Body Pump and traditional strength training with and without a personal trainer on blood cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose in overweight adult females. A randomized controlled trial.
• Muscle Pain and Injuries in adult overweight females during 12 weeks of Body Pump and traditional strength training with and without a personal trainer.

Method

Participants The study recruited "not regularly exercising" women aged 18-65, with a BMI ≥ 25.0. "Not regular exercising" is defined in this study as "not regularly exercise more than one hour each 14th day" (Ommundsen \& Aadland 2009). Recruitment took place via various social media channels, like facebook and NIH's homepage.

Power Calculations Power calculations are done in collaboration with Professor of Statistics, Ingar Holme, at NIH. The BP group will be compared with an inactive control, and group C (resistance training with instructor) will be compared with group B (PT). With a standard deviation of 15 %, alpha = 5 %, and a statistical power of 80 %, we will need to recruit 30 subjects in each group to detect a difference of 11 % in muscle strength (effect size: 0.73). We expect a loss of participants between 10-20 % throughout the study period. Hence, we will recruit 36 women to each group and a total of 144 participants (Greco et al 2011).

Training According to the BP product manual it is recommended to exercise this concept 2-3 times a week (www.lesmill.com). This is in accordance with the recommendations of resistance training from Health and Social Services Agency for inactive people, 2-3 times weekly (SEF, 2000). In a BP session the exercises are squats, deadlift, bench press, standing forward rowing, french press, biceps curl, shoulder press and abdominal crunches. These exercises will form the basis for the development of the training program in group B and C as well. All participants used a training diary for adherence.