Effects of low- and high-intensity home-based exercise training on functional capacity in healthy middle-aged men

Am J Cardiol. 1986 Feb 15;57(6):446-9. doi: 10.1016/0002-9149(86)90770-8.

Abstract

The effects of 12 weeks of home-based exercise training on peak oxygen consumption (VO2 max) in healthy sedentary middle-aged men, mean age 49 +/- 6 years, were evaluated. Twenty-one men trained at low intensity, 23 trained at high intensity and 20 were control subjects. Individually prescribed low- and high-intensity training was performed 5 times per week within a range of 42 to 60% and 63 to 81% of baseline VO2 max, corresponding to average heart rates of 102 to 122 and 128 to 148 beats/min, respectively. Caloric expenditure per training session approximated 350 kcal in both groups; adherence was at least 90% in both groups. VO2 max increased 8% in patients who trained at low intensity, 17% in those who trained at high intensity (both p less than 0.001), and not at all in control subjects. Low-intensity exercise training at home significantly augments functional capacity in healthy sedentary middle-aged men.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Pressure
  • Energy Metabolism
  • Heart Rate
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Monitoring, Physiologic
  • Oxygen Consumption*
  • Patient Compliance
  • Physical Education and Training / methods*
  • Random Allocation