THE ENERGY COST OF CONCURRENT TRAINING 263

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the energy expenditure during a concurrent training session by using a NordicTrack (Chadska, MN)“StrengthAerobics” treadmill (SA), and traditional endurance and strength equipment (TE). Previously untrained subjects from the SA (N=10) and TE (N=10) groups who were participating in a training study and matched by gender, weight and VO2max volunteered to have their VO2 measured(TEEM 100, AeroSport, Ann Arbor, MI) while training. The SA group was monitored for 30-min during arm and leg interval training (66% VO2max:6.8 METS). The TE group was monitored during a 30-min endurance workout (61% VO2max:6.3 METS), and during a 24-min strength training session of 16 sets of 8 exercises (41% VO2max:4.2 METS). The energy expenditure during a 30-min endurance session was comparable between groups(SA = 266 ± 39:TE = 252 ± 64 Kcal). The energy expenditure for strength training was 135 ± 36 Kcal:4.2 METS. When added to the 30-min endurance session, the total energy cost was 387 ± 100 Kcal for the TE group. The total energy cost for TE training was reduced to 235 kcal when limited to a 32-min. workout. That is, 20-min endurance (8.4 ± 2.2 kcal/min) and 12-min strength (5.6 ± 1.5 kcal/min) training. These results suggest that the energy cost of a concurrent training session using the SA treadmill was similar with using traditional strength and endurance equipment when the exercise duration was comparable.