203. Lifting weights helps people struggling with obesity
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
One of the recommendations often given to people struggling with obesity is to perform aerobic exercise, like jogging. Unfortunately, many of these people have trouble going for a run or fast walk. In a new study published in the journal Obesity Reviews, researchers from Edith Cowan University focused instead on lifting weights as a strategy to help people with obesity trying to lose weight. They analyzed data from nearly 120 studies involving over 4,100 participants. They found that participants had the greatest weight loss when they were able to cut back on their calories and follow a resistance training program. They showed significant improvements in body fat percentage. And when they added even a little aerobic exercise, they lost even more weight.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
