[Effects of intermittent walk program on the body mass and composition in obese women]. / Effets d'un programme de marche intermittente sur la masse et la composition corporelles de femmes obèses.

ABSTRACT

UNLABELLED The obese patients adhere weakly to rehabilitation programs; therefore the expected gains are often disappointing. This is possibly linked to the monotony of constant velocity exercises frequently proposed. Consequently, other less monotonous exercises such as the intermittent walk may be more appropriated. OBJECTIVES: The main objectives of this study were to determine if the obese women prefer a constant velocity walk or an intermittent walk, and to analyze the effects of a rehabilitation program based on the intermittent walk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty obese women were recruited. To determine the preferred walk modality, 10 obese women performed a constant velocity walk and an intermittent walk (with a similar duration and velocity) on a treadmill. The preferred walk modality was determined by lower ratings of perceived exertion. Then, these same 10 women participated in a rehabilitation program of 10 weeks (three days per week) consisting of intermittent walks. The 10 other women did not participate in a training program. RESULTS: The ratings of perceived exertion were not significantly different between the two walk modalities. However, the women who participated in a training program increased their maximal distance during a 6 min walking test and they have stabilized theirs anthropometric data. Meanwhile, the untrained women have increased their body mass, body mass index and percentage of body fat. CONCLUSION: The obese patients preferred similarly the constant velocity walk and the intermittent walk, and a rehabilitation program based on an intermittent walk is effective in avoiding the obesity aggravation.