Aerobic responses to walking training in sedentary adolescents.
Promotion of physical fitness and an active lifestyle is critical during the formative adolescent years. This study investigated the effect of a school-based, alternative physical education program of walking training on the aerobic fitness of sedentary, predominantly obese teenagers. The subjects trained three days a week for 11 weeks at an average pace of 3.9 mph and heart rate of 151 beats per minute (79.6% of maximum). Physiologic responses during maximal treadmill testing before and after walking training were compared to those during a 3-month control period preceding the program. Weight-relative maximal oxygen uptake improved 9.9 percent (p less than .05), while treadmill endurance time increased by two minutes (23 percent, p less than .05). These findings indicate that small but significant improvements in aerobic function can be expected from walking training in sedentary adolescents.
Rowland
T W
TW
Department of Pediatrics, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA 01199.
Varzeas
M R
MR
Walsh
C A
CA
D000293:Adolescent; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D016138:Walking