A comparison of fitness training to a pedometer-based walking program matched for total energy cost.
BACKGROUND
Fitness and health variables were measured in 128 sedentary men and women randomly assigned to 6 months of fitness training (F), a walking program (W), or a control (C) group.


METHODS
The F program gradually increased volume and intensity until 4 d/wk of training, at 70% of peak VO2 for 43 min/session was prescribed while the W group performed daily walking monitored with pedometers and increased until 10,000 steps x d-1 were prescribed. Total weekly energy expenditure was matched between the activity groups. The control group was asked to maintain their usual activity.


RESULTS
Body mass, waist circumference, waist/hip ratio, resting HR were reduced in all groups after 6 months (P < .05). Fasting glucose, glucose tolerance, and total cholesterol were similarly improved in all groups (P < .05). Blood pressure and HR decreased during submaximal exercise in all groups (P < .05) but rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was decreased only in the F group (P < .05). Only the F participants showed a significant increase in ventilatory threshold (VT; ~15%) and peak VO2 (~9%) after 6 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Supervised fitness training in previously sedentary adults produced greater improvements in submaximal RPE, BP(sys), VT, and peak VO2 but not other fitness and health-related variables compared with a pedometer-based walking program matched for total energy cost.
Bell
Gordon J
GJ
Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Harber
Vicki
V
Murray
Terra
T
Courneya
Kerry S
KS
Rodgers
Wendy
W
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000886:Anthropometry; D001786:Blood Glucose; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D016552:Ergometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D010809:Physical Fitness; D016730:Program Development; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D008055:Lipids