EFFECT OF HARD VERSUS LIGHT-MODERATE INTENSITY EXERCISE TRAINING ON HEALTH AND FITNESS BENEFITS.

Abstract

1341 The recent Surgeon General's Report recommendations suggest that moderate intensity activity/exercise can produce health and fitness benefits. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of hard vs. light-moderate exercise intensities on health and fitness benefits. Nineteen sedentary men and women (47 ± 12 yrs) with at least one coronary risk factor participated. Subjects were tested (VO2max, blood pressure, blood lipids, body composition) prior to and 22-32 weeks after participating ≥2 days/wk in the Adult Physical Fitness Program. Subjects were grouped into those who trained below 60% of their maximal heart rate range (Light-Moderate) and those who trained above 70% (Hard). Results were: TableTableThese preliminary results demonstrated modest training effects within this subject pool. Those that self-selected a hard training intensity did show a more favorable adaptation in DBP compared to those that trained at light-moderate intensities. In conclusion, this study demonstrated health and fitness benefits when training at least 2 days/week, with greater effects when training at a hard vs. light-moderate intensity with regards to DBP.