Abdominal aerobic endurance exercise reveals spot reduction exists : a randomized controlled trial

The existence of spot reduction, exercise-induced local body fat reduction, has been debated for half a century. Although the evidence is equivocal, no study has applied aerobic endurance training closely matching interventions for energy expenditure. Sixteen overweight (BMI: 29.8 ± 3.3(SD) kg m−2) males (43 ± 9 years) were randomized to: (1) abdominal endurance exercise (AG), combining treadmill running at 70% HRmax (27 min) with 4 × 4 min (30%–40% maximal strength, 1RM) of torso rotation and abdominal crunches (57 min), 4 days⋅week−1 for 10 weeks; or (2) control group (CG) performing only treadmill running (45 min) at 70% HRmax. Local fat mass was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), along with 1RM, and pulmonary oxygen uptake (to control energy expenditure during training). Trunk fat mass decreased more (697 g, 3%, p