Long-term Effects of Varying Intensities and Formats of Physical Activity on Participation Rates, Fitness, and Lipoproteins in Men and Women Aged 50 to 65 Years

• DOI: 10.1161/01.cir.91.10.2596
• Publication Date: 2012-06-12T00:34:42Z
• Authors: Abby C. King; William L. Haskell; Deborah R. Young; Roberta K. Oka; Marcia L. Stefanick
• Keywords: Male; Physical Education and Training; Time Factors; Lipoproteins; Cholesterol, HDL; Osmolar Concentration; Physical Exertion; Heart; Middle Aged; 16. Peace & justice; Lipids; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; Oxygen Consumption; 0302 clinical medicine; Physical Fitness; Exercise Test; Respiratory Physiological Phenomena; Humans; Female; Aged

Background Although exercise parameters such as intensity and format have been shown to influence participation rates physiological outcomes in the short term, few data are available evaluating their longer-term effects. The study objective was determine 2-year effects of differing intensities formats endurance on rates, fitness, plasma HDL cholesterol levels among healthy older adults. Methods Results Higher-intensity, group-based training; higher-intensity, home-based exercise; lower-intensity, were compared a randomized trial. Participants 149 men 120 postmenopausal women 50 65 years age who sedentary free cardiovascular disease. Recruitment achieved through random digit-dial community telephone survey media promotion. All occurred settings. For higher-intensity training, three 40-minute training sessions per week prescribed at 73% 88% peak treadmill heart rate. lower-intensity exercise, five 30-minute 60% Treadmill performance, lipoprotein other disease risk factors, adherence evaluated baseline across period. test performance improved for all conditions during year 1 successfully maintained 2, particularly subjects condition. Subjects that condition also showed greatest 2 ( P <.003). no significant increases observed 1, by end two small but over <.01). pronounced condition, whose prescription required more frequent week. conditions, associated with decreases waist-to-hip ratio both <.04). Conclusions While adults can benefit from initiating regular regimen moderate-intensity terms fitness improvements levels, time frame needed achieve change (2 years) may be longer than reported previously younger populations. Frequency important achieving changes. Supervised regimens represent safe, attractive alternative sustained participation.