Progressive resistance exercise as complementary therapy improves quality of life and body composition in anorexia nervosa: A randomized controlled trial

and purpose: Exercise has not typically been used as an adjunct in treatment of anorexia nervosa (AN). This study aimed to examine the effects of progressive resistance exercise (PREx) on perceived quality of life (QoL) and body composition in adolescents with AN. Forty-four adolescents diagnosed with AN were randomly allocated to either PREx or control groups after hospitalization. The PREx group completed twenty-four PREx sessions over two months including three sets of 8–10 repetitions of eight whole-body exercises at a moderate intensity. QoL and body composition were evaluated at baseline and after two months using Health Questionnaire Short-Form 36 (SF-36) and anthropometric measurements. At completion, forty-one participants (n = 19 PREx, and n = 22 controls) with mean age of 12.78 ± 0.88 years and mean body mass index of 18 ± 2.2 kg/m2 were analyzed. Significant group x time effects were found on SF-36 role physical (RP) scores. Significant improvements with large effect sizes (d > 0.72) were found in RP, and arm circumferences in the PREx group. Spearman association analyses between percent change in anthropometric variables and change in QoL scores showed positive associations with moderate-to-large effect sizes in the PREx group among the following variables: mid-thigh-circumference, physical functioning (PF) and general health (GH); calf-circumference relaxed and body pain; biceps skinfold and GH scores; triceps-skinfold, and role physical (RP) and vitality (VT); supraspinale-skinfold and RP and VT; mid-thigh-skinfold and calf-skinfold and VT. PREx after hospitalization enables modest positive changes in QoL associated to anthropometric changes in adolescents with AN without adverse effects on weight recovery. •Resistance training is a safe complementary tool in youth eating disorder treatment.•Resistance training facilitates weight recovery similarly to standard treatment.•Patients engaging in resistance training obtained body composition benefits.•Improved quality of life was linked to exercise-mediated body composition changes.•Adding nutritionally supported exercise can lead to quality of life enhancements.