THE EFFECT OF DELAYED COMPLETION OF AN EXERCISE PRESCRIPTION PROGRAMME ON OLDER ENGLISH WOMEN

Abstract

552 England has seen an increase in prescriptive exercise as a method of managing and preventing some diseases, and improving functional capacity. The sedentary female subjects in this study (n=38) had an average age of 51 years, and were referred by their Doctor to 20 supervised aerobic and resistance exercise sessions, where frequency of attendance was self-regulated. Subjects were screened prior to commencement of the programme, and upon completion of 20 sessions. The number of weeks taken to complete the 20 exercise sessions ranged from 10 to 36 weeks. Results identified a significant negative relationship between weeks taken and FEV1 improvement (P<0.01), and FVC improvement (P<0.05). Significant positive relationships were observed between weeks taken to complete and% body fat difference (P<0.05), and reduction in thigh girth (P<0.05). Positive relationships were also found between improvements in heart rate at the end of a submaximal cycle test, and% body fat improvement (P<0.05), and FEV1 improvement (P<0.05). For the purpose of analysis, the subjects were grouped according to the number of weeks taken to complete the 20 sessions. Group 1 completed between weeks 10-12; group 2, between weeks 13-16; group 3, between weeks 17-19, and group 4, between weeks 25-36. Group 2 showed significant differences for% body fat reduction when compared to groups 3 and 4 (P<0.01). Groups 1 and 3 showed significantly greater thigh girth reductions than group 4 (P<0.01). Further analysis revealed a greater number of small, though statistically significant differences within group 1, than any other group, with group 4 showing no significant improvements between tests. It was concluded that an increased frequency of participation in structured exercise, and an earlier completion of a 20 session exercise programme was associated with more positive outcomes.