Phoenix VA IPA: Angadi

Sleep apnea is highly prevalent, especially in veterans. Standard treatment of sleep apnea has limitations. Exercise has been shown to elicit a moderate reduction in sleep apnea, and this effect is independent of weight loss. Weight loss also reduces apnea. The aim of this study is to examine whether exercise combined with weight loss will have additive benefit for sleep apnea and associated morbidity. N=90 overweight veterans with apnea will be randomiy assigned to one of three 16-week treatments: (1) exercise training (4 times per week of aerobic and resistance exercise); (2) weight loss (10% body weight); (3) exercise + weight loss. Outcomes will include sleep apnea, glucose and insulin, body weight and composition.