Cardiorespiratory responses of young overweight women to ergometry following modest weight reduction.

Abstract

In a 15-week weight reduction study, 19 overweight young (aged 18 to 22) women adhered to volitional dieting (group D), exercise (group E), or volitional dieting plus exercise (group DE). Body weight and fat losses were modest yet significant but were not different among groups. Bicycle and treadmill progressive work tests were administered before and after weight reduction. On the bicycle, maximum oxygen consumption ([vdot]o2 max), heart rate (HR), and work rate (WR) were unchanged in group D. Groups E and DE increased [vdot]o2 max and WR. During treadmill exercise, [vdot]o2 max for group D remained unchanged, whereas groups E and DE had higher [vdot]o2 max and WR; max HR was lower in groups D and E. Conditioning increased [vdot]o2 max and reduced HR at submaximal work loads, particularly during treadmill work.