Moderate Aerobic Training Research Articles

The effects of physical activity and exercise training on psychological stress and well-being in an adolescent population

To determine whether participating in physical activity affects psychological well-being in an adolescent population, 147 adolescents completed self-reports of exercise and psychological stress and well-being. Analysis revealed that those who reported greater physical activity also reported less stress and lower levels of depression. Adolescents who experienced a higher incidence of life events also demonstrated a strong association between stress and anxiety/depression/hostility. To investigate the effects of exercise training on psychological well-being, adolescents were assigned to either high or moderate intensity aerobic training, flexibility training or a control group. The training groups met twice per week for 25–30 min. Aerobic fitness levels, heart rate, blood pressure and self-report of stress and well-being were measured prior to and following 10 weeks of training. Post-training fitness measures confirmed the effectiveness of the high intensity aerobic exercise and between groups differences for physiological and some psychological measures were found. Subjects undergoing high intensity exercise reported significantly less stress than subjects in the remaining three groups. The relationship between stress and anxiety/depression/hostility for the high intensity group was considerably weakened at the end of the training period. For the remaining subjects, however, this relationship was, if anything, strengthened. This experiment provides evidence to suggest that in an adolescent population, high intensity aerobic exercise has positive effects on well-being.

Iron supplementation and iron status in exercising young women

The effect of moderate aerobic exercise training and iron supplementation on iron status was studied in college-age women. Thirteen sedentary women, randomly assigned to a placebo group or an iron treatment group (50 mg iron/day as FeSO 4, exercised at least three days per week at 70–80% of maximal heart rate for 12 weeks. Increases in maximal oxygen consumption in both groups indicated improved cardiovascular fitness. Venous blood samples were obtained for hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum iron, total iron binding capacity, transferrin saturation, and ferritin determinations at weeks 0, 4, 8, and 12. Analysis of covariance using initial baseline values as the covariate showed that ferritin levels between groups were significantly different ( P < 0.01), suggesting compromised iron stores in association with moderate exercise. Iron supplementation was beneficial in maintaining or improving the iron stores of moderately exercising women.

Aerobic Fitness, Physical Activity, and Psychophysiological Reactions to Mental Tasks

The association between aerobic fitness, exercise, and psychophysiological reactivity was assessed in cross-sectional and prospective analyses. Seventy-five healthy but sedentary adults carried out a sub-maximal exercise test and easy and difficult problem solving tasks. Blood pressure, heart rate, skin conductance level, respiration rate, tidal volume, and oxygen consumption were monitored and additional heart rate was also computed. Differences between relatively fit and unfit individuals were found in respiration rate during tasks and in skin conductance level during post-task recovery periods, with a tendency toward diminished heart rate reactivity in fitter people. Subjects were subsequently allocated to four conditions: high intensity aerobic training, moderate intensity aerobic training, an undemanding strength and flexibility program (designed as an attention-placebo condition), and waiting list control. Training programs were conducted over a 10-week period, and were followed by a second laboratory session. Appropriate changes in aerobic performance over the training period were observed in the 12-min run/walk test. There were no important modifications in psychophysiological stress reactions associated with the different experimental conditions. These results are discussed in relation to the literature concerning the effects of fitness and physical activity on physiological response patterns.

The effects of exercise training on mental well-being in the normal population: A controlled trial

This study was designed to compare the effects of two aerobic training programmes of differing intensities on mood and mental well-being with those of a credible attention-placebo condition. One hundred and nine sedentary adult volunteers from the local population were assigned to four conditions: high intensity aerobic training, moderate intensity aerobic training, attention-placebo and waiting list. Training was carried out over a 10 week period. Subjects were assessed before and after training with psychological measures and the 12 min walk-run test, and follow-up evaluations were undertaken after 3 months. Ninety-four subjects began the programme and the adherence rate averaged 80%, with no significant differences in number of drop-outs between conditions. Appropriate changes in estimated maximum oxygen consumption were observed in the three active conditions with the 12 min walk-run test. Psychological benefits were seen with the moderate exercise condition but not in the high exercise or attention- placebo conditions. These effects were manifest immediately after training on measures of tension/anxiety and confusion, and at follow-up on measures of percieved coping ability. The mechanisms underlying this pattern of results are discussed and the relative importance for health of vigorous activity and physical fitness is considered.