Background: Combined exercise training has proven effective in preventing and treating sleep disorders among obese adults. However, structured progression of intensity in sleep parameters remains poorly investigated within this population. Purpose: To verify the effects of non-periodized and linear periodization combined training on the sleep quality of obese adults. Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial involving adults with body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2, allocated to 3 groups: control (CG; n = 13), non-periodized training (NG; n = 9), and with linear periodization (PG; n = 13). Groups PG and NG trained for 16 weeks in 3 weekly sessions lasting of 60 minutes. The NG trained in 50-59% heart rate reserve (HRR) e 2 × 10-12 repetition maximum (RM) and the PG with progression in 3 mesocycles: 40-49%;50-59%; 60-69% HRR e 2x12-14; 2x10-12; 2 × 8-10 RM, with the total volume equated. Sleep quality was evaluated by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. For statistics, we used Generalized Estimation Equations considering p ≤ 0.05. Results: Sleep latency was reduced in both training groups after intervention (NG-Δ = -25.56 minutes p = .028; PG-Δ = -22.23 minutes p = .035), while significant improvements in sleep efficiency were found only in the NG (Δ = 20.67%; p = .042). Conclusion: Despite the NG's apparent superiority, which model has the best sleep effects on obese adults cannot be stated. Hence, caution is needed while extrapolating the results.
Keywords: Exercise; obesity; randomized controlled trial; sleep-wake disorder.