Effects of Weighted Hula-Hooping Compared to Walking on Abdominal Fat, Trunk Muscularity, and Metabolic Parameters in Overweight Subjects: A Randomized Controlled Study

• Published in: Obesity facts 2019-09, Vol.12 (4), p.385-396
• Main Authors: Lahelma, Mari, Sädevirta, Sanja, Lallukka-Brück, Susanna, Sevastianova, Ksenia, Mustelin, Linda, Gylling, Helena, Rockette-Wagner, Bonny, Kriska, Andrea M., Yki-Järvinen, Hannele
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abdominal Fat - diagnostic imaging; Abdominal Fat - metabolism; Abdominal Fat - pathology; Abdominal Muscles - diagnostic imaging; Abdominal Muscles - metabolism; Abdominal Muscles - pathology; Absorptiometry, Photon; Adolescent; Adult; Aerobics; Aged; Blood pressure; Body composition; Body Composition - physiology; Body fat; Body Mass Index; Cardiovascular disease; Clinical trials; Cross-Over Studies; Enzymes; Exercise; Exercise Therapy - instrumentation; Exercise Therapy - methods; Fasting; Female; Glucose; High density lipoprotein; Humans; Insulin resistance; Laboratories; Leisure Activities; Lipids; Lipoproteins; Male; Metabolism; Middle Aged; Obesity; Obesity - prevention & control; Organ Size; Overweight; Overweight - metabolism; Overweight - therapy; Physical fitness; Play and Playthings; Research Article; Sports injuries; Strength training; Waist circumference; Waist Circumference - physiology; Walking; Walking - physiology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1662-4025; 1662-4033
• DOI: 10.1159/000500572

Background: Weighted hula-hoops have gained popularity, but whether they indeed reshape the trunk or have beneficial metabolic effects in overweight subjects is unknown. Objectives: To determine effects of hula-hooping and walking matched for energy expenditure on android fat %, trunk muscle mass, and metabolic parameters in a randomized cross-over study. Design: We recruited 55 overweight nondiabetic subjects, who were randomized to hula-hooping (HULA) for 6 weeks using a 1.5-kg weighted hula-hoop followed by walking (WALK) for another 6 weeks or vice versa. The increments in energy expenditure were similar by HULA and WALK. Body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) and metabolic parameters were measured at baseline and after HULA and WALK. The primary endpoint was the change in fat % in the android region. Results: A total of 53subjects (waist 92 ± 1 cm, body mass index 28 ± 1 kg/m 2 ) completed the study. Body weight changed similarly (–0.6 ± 0.2 vs. –0.5 ± 0.2 kg, nonsignificant; HULA vs. WALK). During the intervention the subjects hula-hooped on average 12.8 ± 0.5 min/day and walked 9,986 ± 376 steps/day. The % fat in the android region decreased significantly by HULA but not by WALK (between-group change p < 0.001). Trunk muscle mass increased more by HULA than by WALK (p < 0.05). Waist circumference decreased more by HULA than by WALK (–3.1 ± 0.3 cm vs. –0.7 ± 0.4 cm, p < 0.001; HULA vs. WALK). WALK but not HULA significantly lowered systolic blood pressure and increased HDL cholesterol while HULA significantly decreased LDL cholesterol. Conclusions: Hula-hooping with a weighted hula-hoop can be used to decrease abdominal fat % and increase trunk muscle mass in overweight subjects. Its LDL lowering effect resembles that described for resistance training.