Supplementary Material for: Effects of Weighted Hula-Hooping Compared to Walking on Abdominal Fat, Trunk Muscularity, and Metabolic Parameters in Overweight Subjects: A Randomized Controlled Study

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Weighted hula-hoops have gained popularity, but whether they indeed reshape the trunk or have beneficial metabolic effects in overweight subjects is unknown. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> To determine effects of hula-hooping and walking matched for energy expenditure on android fat %, trunk muscle mass, and metabolic parameters in a randomized cross-over study. <b><i>Design:</i></b> We recruited 55 overweight nondiabetic subjects, who were randomized to hula-hooping (HULA) for 6 weeks using a 1.5-kg weighted hula-hoop followed by walking (WALK) for another 6 weeks or vice versa. The increments in energy expenditure were similar by HULA and WALK. Body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) and metabolic parameters were measured at baseline and after HULA and WALK. The primary endpoint was the change in fat % in the android region. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A total of 53<i></i>subjects (waist 92 ± 1 cm, body mass index 28 ± 1 kg/m²) completed the study. Body weight changed similarly (–0.6 ± 0.2 vs. –0.5 ± 0.2 kg, nonsignificant; HULA vs. WALK). During the intervention the subjects hula-hooped on average 12.8 ± 0.5 min/day and walked 9,986 ± 376 steps/day. The % fat in the android region decreased significantly by HULA but not by WALK (between-group change <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). Trunk muscle mass increased more by HULA than by WALK (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). Waist circumference decreased more by HULA than by WALK (–3.1 ± 0.3 cm vs. –0.7 ± 0.4 cm, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001; HULA vs. WALK). WALK but not HULA significantly lowered systolic blood pressure and increased HDL cholesterol while HULA significantly decreased LDL cholesterol. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Hula-hooping with a weighted hula-hoop can be used to decrease abdominal fat % and increase trunk muscle mass in overweight subjects. Its LDL lowering effect resembles that described for resistance training.