Walking trials in postmenopausal women: effect of one vs two daily bouts on aerobic fitness

Abstract

We compared the effects of one vs two daily bouts of walking on aerobic fitness and body composition in postmenopausal women. One hundred and thirty-four subjects were randomized into exercise groups or a control group and 130 completed the study. The subjects walked 5 d/week for 15 weeks at 65% of their maximal aerobic power expending 300 kcal (1255 kJ) in exercise in one (Group S1) or two daily sessions (Group S2). VO(2max) was measured in a direct maximal treadmill test. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated and the percentage of body fat (fat%) estimated using skinfold measurements. The net change in the VO(2max) was 2.5 mL min/kg (95% CI 1.5, 3.5) (8.7%) in Group S1 and 2.5 mL min/kg (95% CI 1.5, 3.5) (8.8%) in Group S2. The net change in body mass was -1.2 kg (95% CI-1.9, -0.5) in Group S1 and -1.1 kg (95% CI -1.8, -0.4) in Group S2. The net fat% change was -2.1% (95% CI-2.7, -1.4) in Group S1 and -1.7% (95% CI-2.3, -1.0) in Group S2. Exercise improved the maximal aerobic power and body composition equally when walking was performed in one or two daily bouts.

Effect of Brisk Walking in 1 or 2 Daily Bouts and Moderate Resistance Training on Lower-Extremity Muscle Strength, Balance, and Walking Performance in Women Who Recently Went Through Menopause: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

“…The exercise training in group E2 was fractionated into 2 daily bouts, and control group subjects (group C) kept their daily physical activity habits unchanged. We have previously reported that both of these training regimens improvedVo 2 max, measures of submaximal fitness, resting blood pressure, body mass, the proportion of body fat 16 as well as blood lipids and glucose and insulin levels. 17 The main outcome measures were lowerextremity muscle strength, balance, and walking performance.…”

“…As described in a previous publication, 16 the main outcome was directly measuredVo 2 max. The calculations for adequate sample size were based on the assumption of an approximately 10% (3 mL⅐min Ϫ1 ⅐kg Ϫ1 [SDϭ4]) increase from the baselineVo 2 max in the exercise group when compared with the change in the control group (type 1 error alphaϭ.05).…”

The effects of 60 minutes of brisk walking per week, accumulated in two different patterns, on cardiovascular risk

“…Much research concerning walking interventions has assessed the effects of training typically 4 or 5 days per week for 30-60 min [7,[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. However, to the authors' knowledge, only one study has examined the efficacy of walking at the minimum ACSM * recommendations, that is, 20 min on 3 days of the week [18].…”

Health-enhancing physical activity and the prevention of chronic diseases — An epidemiological review

“…Five to ten minutes might be suffi cient. Reviews from Blair & Connelly (1996), Shephard (1997) or Hardman (1999) and Hardman (2001) and studies of walking (Asikainen et al 2002b;Murphy et al 2002;OseiTutu & Campagna 2005) came up with further evidence with regard to physiological functioning and fi tness-related outcomes. Here, two randomised trials of accumulated daily stair climbing are remarkable (one ascent takes 2 min!).…”