Research finds that people with obesity who exercise regularly show improved fat tissue health, which may lead to reduced risk of metabolic issues

A recent study from the University of Michigan has found that individuals with obesity who engage in long-term exercise have healthier belly fat tissue, allowing for more effective fat storage compared to their non-exercising counterparts.

This finding supports the importance of regular physical activity for metabolic health and offers encouragement for clients who aren’t able to shed fat despite a regular exercise routine.

Study Highlights

The research team wanted to explore the impact of years of exercise on fat tissue. They compared two groups of adults with obesity: 16 participants who reported exercising at least four times a week for an average of 11 years, and 16 individuals who had never exercised regularly but were matched in terms of body fat mass, weight and sex.

Researchers took samples of subcutaneous adipose tissue—fat located just beneath the skin—from both groups. The results showed that the exercisers had distinct structural and biological differences in their fat tissue, including increased blood vessel density, more mitochondria and higher levels of beneficial proteins. They also had lower amounts of collagen that could interfere with metabolism and fewer inflammation-causing cells.

“Our findings indicate that regular exercise not only helps expend calories but also modifies fat tissue in ways that allow for healthier fat storage during weight gain, which many people experience as they age,” said Jeffrey Horowitz, a professor of movement science at the U-M School of Kinesiology.

The implications of these findings are important. Storing fat in subcutaneous adipose tissue, the type sampled in this study, is considered healthier than fat accumulation around vital organs, which can lead to serious health issues.

Horowitz noted, “Increasing the capacity to store fat here reduces the likelihood of storing fat in unhealthy areas, such as visceral fat around the organs or in the organs themselves.”

This research builds on earlier studies that observed changes in fat tissue after shorter exercise periods. Horowitz emphasized the need for further investigation into how long-term exercise influences fat tissue health and whether specific types or intensities of exercise yield better results.

Personal Trainers & Programming

This study provides insights for personal trainers, emphasizing the importance of long-term exercise for metabolic health and fat tissue management. Trainers can leverage these findings to educate clients about the broader health impacts of consistent physical activity beyond just weight loss.

Moreover, fitness professionals can design sustainable long-term exercise programs that promote adherence and highlight the health benefits of regular activity, as opposed to pure aesthetics. Understanding that exercise can lead to healthier fat storage may also help address common client concerns about weight gain as they age, fostering a more positive mindset towards fitness.

While the study findings are positive, there are several limitations. The study involved only 32 participants, which may restrict the generalizability of the results. Also, the reliance on self-reported exercise data could introduce bias and inaccuracies in actual activity levels. The research compared current fat tissue characteristics rather than tracking changes over time, limiting insights into how exercise impacts fat tissue development.

The participants were matched based on specific characteristics, which may overlook other influential factors such as genetics and lifestyle. Also of note: the focus on subcutaneous abdominal fat may not capture the full spectrum of fat distribution and health implications, and the controlled setting may not reflect real-world conditions affecting exercise adherence.

Continued research in this area will further clarify the relationship between exercise, fat storage and overall health, informing best practices in the fitness industry.