Hospitalized anorexics and resistance training: impact on body composition and psychological well-being. A preliminary study

• Published in: Eating and weight disorders Vol. 7; no. 4; pp. 293 - 297
• Main Authors: Szabo, C P, Green, K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Springer Nature B.V 01-12-2002
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Adult; Anorexia Nervosa - physiopathology; Anorexia Nervosa - psychology; Anorexia Nervosa - rehabilitation; Body composition; Body Composition - physiology; Body Image; Body Mass Index; Energy Intake - physiology; Exercise - physiology; Exercise - psychology; Female; Hospitalization; Humans; Personality Inventory; Strength training; Treatment Outcome; Weight Gain - physiology; Weight Lifting - physiology
• ISSN: 1124-4909; 1590-1262
• DOI: 10.1007/BF03324975

Ritualised exercise commonly accompanies the clinical presentation of anorexia nervosa (AN) sufferers, but there is a paucity of research on structured exercise as a therapeutic intervention. This study examined the usefulness of resistance training as part of a treatment programme for hospitalized anorexics. The study sample consisted of 21 subjects: seven anorexics participating in the exercise programme, seven non-participating anorexics, and seven subjects unaffected by an eating disorder but who participated in the exercise programme. The results show that resistance training is associated with an improvement in body composition and psychological well-being and, although it does not confer an outcome advantage in this regard, it seems to be a useful adjunct in the treatment of hospitalized anorexics.