Reduce your waist without running out of steam on a carpet? It is possible. And contrary to popular belief, it does not require extraordinary endurance or specific equipment.
The figures are eloquent: more than 43 % of adults worldwide are overweight, according to estimates of 2022. Obesity affects 504 million women and 374 million men, resulting in nearly 2.8 million deaths. Faced with this observation, the scientific community seeks solutions accessible to all. A recent study, published in the journal BMJ Open, highlights physical activity which, practiced regularly for ten weeks, would make it possible to lose weight and reduce abdominal fat. An ally of choice in the fight against extra pounds.
The researchers analyzed ten clinical trials conducted in Malaysia, Brazil, India, the United States and the Netherlands. A total of 286 participants aged 20 to 70, in a situation of overweight or obesity, were followed. The objective was to compare the effects of this specific physical activity with those of other types of exercise or the total absence of activity. The method used in these studies varied slightly, but all had one thing in common: they imposed regular practice on the participants, at the rate of two to three weekly sessions of one hour each. After ten weeks, the results are there: an average loss of three kilos and a reduction of three centimeters of waist. Significant figures, especially in women and adults over 45.
One of the great forces of this activity lies in its accessibility. Unlike intense sports that can cause joint injury, this is soft for the body. Researchers explain that this protective aspect is particularly beneficial for overweight people, often faced with pain related to more conventional exercises. So what discipline are we talking about? This is aquagym.
This aquatic sport, often perceived as a leisure more than a real physical exercise, is actually particularly effective in refining the silhouette. The resistance of the water makes it possible to solicit the muscles gently while reducing the impacts on the joints. It is this combination that makes it an interesting option for those who seek to lose weight without suffering from too intense efforts. And with 60-minute sessions, two to three times a week, the results are there.
