Importance of professional supervision for improving body composition in resistance-trained men: a preliminary non-randomized study

Authors

  • Salvador Vargas Molina Physical education and Sport, Faculty of Medicine, University of Málaga, Spain;
  • Diego A. Bonilla Research Division, DBSS International SAS, Bogotá, Colombia; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2634-1220
  • Jorge L. Petro Research Division, DBSS International SAS, Bogotá, Colombia; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5678-1000
  • Luis A. Cardozo Investigación y Medición en Entrenamiento Deportivo (IMED), Fundación Universitaria del Área Andina, Bogotá, Colombia; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8076-3304
  • Brad J. Schoenfeld Department of Health Sciences, CUNY Lehman College, NY, USA. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4979-5783
  • Javier Benítez Porres University of Málaga, Physical education and sport area, Faculty of Medicine, Málaga, Spain; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7546-7965

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v69.114515

Keywords:

Organization and administration, Hypertrophy, Bodybuilding, Strenght training, Fitness center

Abstract

Introduction: Professional supervision in resistance training for body composition can optimize results at higher training levels. Objective: This study aimed to assess body composition (BC) changes over a fifteen-month resistance training (RT) program in resistance-trained men who exercised without professional supervision. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that participants with more than three consecutive years of RT experience who train without professional supervision would not show improvements in BC. Methods: We recruited 17 young men with more than three years of RT experience to participate in this single-group, non-randomized longitudinal study. Participants had the stated goal of increasing fat-free mass (FFM). Baseline measures of BC were obtained via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry during a previous clinical trial (initial). After the 15-month unsupervised training period, individuals included in the analysis met certain inclusion criteria (responses to a validated questionnaire being able to lift > 1.5 times their body mass in the back squat exercise). Results: At the end of the study period, no significant changes were found in either in fat mass (Δ = -0.29 (2.16) [-1.40, 0.82] kg; P = 0.587; dunb = -0.071 [-0.337, 0.191]) or in adjusted FFM (Δ = 0.19 (1.22) [-0.43, 0.82] kg; P = 0.516; dunb = 0.029 [-0.061, 0.121]) when compared to baseline. This was likely due to poor management in self-regulating training and nutritional components.

Conclusions: In conclusion, our findings suggest that resistance-trained individuals (>3 consecutive years of RT) may not experience significant improvements in FFM after a 15-month unsupervised training program. Professional supervision and adherence to evidence-based recommendations may play a pivotal role in continual exercise-induced BC improvement.

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2025-06-14

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Vargas Molina, S., Bonilla, D. A., Petro, J. L., Cardozo, L. A., Schoenfeld, B. J., & Benítez Porres, J. (2025). Importance of professional supervision for improving body composition in resistance-trained men: a preliminary non-randomized study. Retos, 69, 275–287. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v69.114515

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Vol. 69 (2025)

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