Use of the leg-to-leg bioelectrical impedance method in assessing body-composition change in obese women.

BACKGROUND: There is little information on whether bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) accurately predicts changes in body composition associated with energy restriction, exercise, or both. OBJECTIVE: We had 2 objectives: to determine the validity of the leg-to-leg BIA system in 1) estimating body composition in obese and nonobese women, with a cross-sectional design, and 2) assessing changes in body composition in obese women in response to 12 wk of energy restriction, exercise training, or both. DESIGN: Subjects were 98 moderately obese women (43.2 +/- 0.6% body fat, 45.0 +/- 1.1 y of age) and 27 nonobese control subjects (24.0 +/- 1.5% body fat, 43.5 +/- 2.5 y of age). Obese subjects were randomly divided into 1 of 4 groups, with fat-free mass, fat mass, and percentage body fat estimated with BIA and underwater weighing before and after 12 wk of intervention. The 4 groups were diet only (4.19-5.44 MJ/d), exercise only (five, 45-min sessions/wk at 78.5 +/- 0.5% of maximum heart rate), both exercise and diet, and control (no diet or exercise). RESULTS: No significant difference was found between underwater weighing and BIA in estimating the fat-free mass of the obese and nonobese women (all subjects combined, r = 0.78, P < 0.001, SEE = 3.7 kg) or in estimating decreases in fat mass during 12 wk of energy restriction, exercise, or both in obese subjects (F[3.85] = 1.45, P = 0.233). CONCLUSIONS: The leg-to-leg BIA system accurately assessed fat-free mass in obese and nonobese women, and changes in fat mass with diet alone or when combined with exercise.

Carbohydrate supplementation affects blood granulocyte and monocyte trafficking but not function after 2.5 h or running.

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was designed to determine the influence of carbohydrate supplementation on the granulocyte and monocyte response to 2.5 h of high-intensity running [76.7 +/- 0.4% of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max)]. Thirty experienced marathon runners (VO2max 53.4 +/- 1.0 mL.kg-1.min-1, age 41.5 +/- 1.4 y) were randomly assigned to carbohydrate-supplement (n = 17) and placebo (n = 13) groups. Subjects rested for 10-15 min before a blood sample was taken at 0715, and then ingested 0.75 L carbohydrate beverage or placebo. At 0730 subjects began running at 75-80% of VO2max for 2.5 h, and drank 0.25 L carbohydrate or placebo fluid every 15 min. Immediately after the 2.5-h run (1000), another blood sample was taken, followed by 1.5-h, 3-h, and 6-h recovery samples. Carbohydrate supplementation had a significant effect compared with placebo on the pattern of change in plasma glucose and cortisol, and the blood concentration of neutrophils (F[14, 112] = 5.13, P = 0.001) and monocytes (F[14, 112] = 4.78, P = 0.001), but not on blood granulocyte and monocyte phagocytosis or oxidative burst activity after 2.5 h of intensive running.

Physical activity and serum lipids and lipoproteins in elderly women.

OBJECTIVE: The relationship between cardiorespiratory exercise and serum lipid and lipoprotein levels was studied in elderly women. DESIGN: Randomized controlled experimental design with a follow up of 12 weeks; cross-sectional comparison at baseline. SETTING: Community-living elders in university exercise facilities. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-two apparently healthy, sedentary elderly Caucasian women, 67 to 85 years of age. Ten highly conditioned elderly women, 65 to 84 years of age, who were active in endurance competitions and had been training for 11.2 +/- 1.2 years, were recruited at baseline for cross-sectional comparisons. INTERVENTIONS: Sedentary subjects were randomized to either a walking or calisthenic group. Intervention groups exercised 30 to 40 minutes, 5 days a week for 12 weeks, with the walking group training at 60% heart rate reserve and the calisthenic group engaging in mild range-of-motion and flexibility movements that kept their heart rates close to resting levels. MEASUREMENTS: Serum lipids and lipoproteins, maximal aerobic capacity (VO2 max), four skinfolds, and dietary intake at baseline and after 5 and 12 weeks. RESULTS: When the highly conditioned group and combined group of sedentary subjects were compared at baseline, serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C; 1.61 +/- 0.14 vs 1.27 +/- 0.05 mmol/L, respectively; P = 0.048) and triglycerides (1.29 +/- 0.15 vs 2.00 +/- 0.15, respectively; P = 0.002), but not total serum cholesterol (5.72 +/- 0.36 vs 5.72 +/- 0.19 mmol/L, respectively) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; 3.62 +/- 0.36 vs 3.72 +/- 0.18 mmol/L, respectively), were significantly different. Twelve weeks of moderate cardiorespiratory exercise improved the VO2max of the sedentary subjects 12.6% but did not result in any change in body weight, energy intake, dietary quality, or any of the serum lipids or lipoproteins. CONCLUSION: Highly conditioned and lean elderly women, when compared with their sedentary counterparts, had higher HDL-C and lower triglycerides, but similar total serum cholesterol and LDL-C values. However, twelve weeks of moderate cardiorespiratory exercise were not associated with an improvement in serum lipid or lipoprotein profiles in previously sedentary elderly women.

Effects of mode and carbohydrate on the granulocyte and monocyte response to intensive, prolonged exercise.

The influence of exercise mode and 6% carbohydrate (C) vs. placebo (P) beverage ingestion on granulocyte and monocyte phagocytosis and oxidative burst activity (GMPOB) after prolonged and intensive exertion was measured in 10 triathletes. The triathletes acted as their own controls and ran or cycled for 2.5 h at approximately 75% maximal O2 uptake, ingesting C or P (4 total sessions, random order, with beverages administered in double-blind fashion). During the 2. 5-h exercise bouts, C or P (4 ml/kg) was ingested every 15 min. Five blood samples were collected (15 min before exercise, immediately after exercise, and 1.5, 3, and 6 h after exercise). The pattern of change over time for GMPOB was significantly different between C and P conditions (P

Indomethacin does not alter natural killer cell response to 2.5 h of running.

The effect of 2.5 h of treadmill running at 75.6 +/- 0.9% maximal O2 uptake (VO2max) on natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxic activity (NKCA) was investigated in 22 experienced marathon runners (VO2max 57.9 +/- 1.1 ml.kg-1.min-1, age 38.7 +/- 1.5 yr). Blood samples were taken before (0715) and immediately after exercise (1000), with three more samples taken during 6 h of recovery (1130, 1300, and 1600). Ten sedentary controls (VO2max 34.7 +/- 1.0 ml.kg-1.min-1, age 45.3 +/- 2.3 yr) sat in the laboratory during testing and had their blood sampled at the same time points. The pattern of change in NKCA over time was significantly different between groups [F(4,27) = 6.53; P = 0.001], with the runner's NKCA dropping 51-61% below preexercise levels throughout 6 h of recovery. Preincubation of blood mononuclear cells in vitro with indomethacin had no effect on the difference in pattern of change in NKCA between groups [F(4,17) = 8.59; P = 0.001] and did not attenuate the postexercise reduction in the runners. When NKCA was adjusted on a per-NK cell basis, group differences and the postexercise decline in NKCA were eliminated [F(4,80) = 0.65; P = 0.63]. Serum cortisol and plasma epinephrine in the runners were elevated relative to control subjects during recovery from exercise, but no significant correlation with changes in NK cells or NKCA was found. These data indicate that NKCA is decreased significantly during recovery from 2.5 h of running due to a numerical redistribution of NK cells.

Carbohydrate and the cytokine response to 2.5 h of running.

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was designed to determine the influence of 6% carbohydrate (C) vs. placebo (P) beverage ingestion on cytokine responses (5 total samples over 9 h) to 2.5 h of high-intensity running (76.7 +/- 0.4% maximal O2 uptake) by 30 experienced marathon runners. For interleukin-6 (IL-6), a difference in the pattern of change between groups was found, highlighted by a greater increase in P vs. C immediately postrun (753 vs. 421%) and 1.5 h postrun (193 vs. 86%) [F(4,112) = 3.77, P = 0.006]. For interleukin-1-receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), a difference in the pattern of change between groups was found, highlighted by a greater increase in P vs. C 1.5 h postrun (231 vs. 72%) [F(2,50) = 6.38, P = 0.003]. No significant interaction effects were seen for bioactive IL-6 or IL-1 beta. The immediate postrun plasma glucose concentrations correlated negatively with those of plasma cortisol (r = -0.67, P < 0.001); postrun plasma cortisol (r = 0.70, P < 0.001) and IL-6 levels (r = 0.54, P = 0.003) correlated positively with levels of IL-1ra. Taken together, the data indicate that carbohydrate ingestion attenuates cytokine levels in the inflammatory cascade in response to heavy exertion.

Exercise training and nutrient intake in elderly women.

This study examined the relationship between moderate exercise training (five 30- to 40-minute sessions per week for 12 weeks at 60% of heart rate reserve) and changes in nutrient intake in a group of 30 sedentary elderly women aged 67 to 85 years. Subjects were placed randomly into two groups (those who walked and those who did calisthenics) and were followed for 12 weeks. Measurements were done at three times (baseline, 5 weeks, and 12 weeks). Dietary intake was based on 7-day food records. The 12-week walking program resulted in a significant (12.6%) improvement in maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) but no change in body weight or skinfold thicknesses compared with the calisthenics program. Despite the improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness, no significant group x time interaction effects were observed for most of the nutrient intake variables tested. To test the effects of high levels of physical activity on nutrient intake, cross-sectional comparisons were made at baseline between highly conditioned and sedentary elderly women. The highly conditioned elderly women had higher energy and nutrient intakes, especially when expressed on a weight-adjusted basis. However, no differences in measures of dietary quality were found. Dietitians should not expect spontaneous improvement in either the quantity or quality of nutrient intake by elderly women who adopt a moderate exercise program. Although nutrient intake was greater in highly conditioned elderly women, their level of fitness and physical activity may be beyond the reach of many elderly women.

Comparison of six microcomputer dietary analysis systems with the USDA Nutrient Data Base for Standard Reference.

We compared the general operating features and nutrient databases of six microcomputer dietary analysis systems. A 3-day food record with 73 food items was entered into each program; nutrient averages were compared with the US Department of Agriculture Nutrient Data Base for Standard Reference (USDA NDB), full version, release 9, for microcomputers. The six programs were found to vary widely in cost, number of foods and nutrients in the database, use of non-USDA data and imputation of data for missing values, number of print/export options, time to analyze the 3-day food record, and overall ease of use. Although all of the microcomputer dietary analysis systems were within 7% of the USDA NDB for energy, protein, total fat, and total carbohydrates, the proportion of other nutrients varying more than 15% from the USDA NDB varied considerably between programs. Variance among programs for 3-day food record nutrient values occurred because of differences in the number of food items included in the database (leading to varying degrees of substitution), the recency of the nutrient data (whether or not the most recent USDA releases had been incorporated), and the number of missing values (the degree to which non-USDA sources or estimated calculations were used to fill in the blanks from the USDA standard). Our results demonstrate that it is important for each dietitian to carefully choose a microcomputer dietary analysis system that is suitable to specific and predetermined needs.

Influence of obesity on immune function.

OBJECTIVE: To compare immune function in obese and nonobese subjects. DESIGN: Obese and nonobese subjects were compared cross-sectionally. To test for the influence of other factors on immunity, aerobic fitness, psychological well-being, and serum levels of glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol were measured and included in multiple regression models to determine their comparative effects. SUBJECTS/SETTING: Community-based subjects included 116 obese women (age = 44.3 +/- 9.7 years, body mass index = 33.2 +/- 6.5) and 41 nonobese women (age = 42.2 +/- 10.9 years, body mass index = 21.2 +/- 1.9). STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Independent t tests, Pearson product moment correlations, and stepwise multiple regression procedures. RESULTS: Obesity was linked to elevated leukocyte and lymphocyte subset counts (except for natural killer and cytotoxic/suppressor T cells), suppressed mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation (an index of T- and B-cell function), higher monocyte and granulocyte phagocytosis and oxidative burst activity, and normal activity of natural killer cells. APPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS: These data support the contention that obesity is associated with alterations in immune function. Further research is needed to link immunosuppression with the previously reported elevated risk of infection among the obese.

Effects of exercise training on gallbladder function in an obese female population.

PURPOSE: Aerobic exercise may influence gallstone disease pathogenesis through its effect on gallbladder motility. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of exercise training on gallbladder emptying in obese women. METHODS: Twenty-seven obese subjects were randomized into one of two groups: exercise (E) (five 45-min brisk walking sessions per week at 75.2 +/- 0.5% of maximum heart rate) and controls (C). Gallbladder function via cholescintigraphy, cardiorespiratory fitness, and body composition were measured in all subjects before and after a 12-wk intervention period. In each cholescintigraphy trial subjects ingested an 8-oz liquid meal 45 min after injection of 99mTc disofenin to promote gallbladder emptying. Gallbladder areas were then scanned for 60 s and then every 5 min for 60 min. RESULTS: VO2max increased significantly by 9% for E when compared with that for C (P < 0.001). Within E postprandial gallbladder ejection fraction (EF) increased significantly after training (39.5 +/- 4.9% to 54.7 +/- 6.5%, P < 0.05); however, this 15.2% increase in EF was not significantly greater than the change reported in the controls. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that 12 wk of moderate exercise training does improve cardiorespiratory fitness but does not significantly effect gallbladder emptying in obese women.

Physical activity and immune function in elderly women.

The relationship between cardiorespiratory exercise, immune function, and upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) was studied in elderly women utilizing a randomized controlled experimental design with a follow-up of 12 wk. Thirty-two sedentary, elderly Caucasian women, 67-85 yr of age, who met specific selection criteria, were randomized to either a walking or calisthenic group; 30 completed the study. Twelve highly conditioned elderly women, 65-84 yr of age, who were active in endurance competitions, were recruited at baseline for cross-sectional comparisons. Intervention groups exercised 30-40 min, 5 d.wk-1, for 12 wk, with the walking group training at 60% heart rate reserve and the calisthenic group engaging in mild range-of-motion and flexibility movements that kept their heart rates close to resting levels. At baseline, the highly conditioned subjects exhibited superior NK (119 +/- 13 vs 77 +/- 8 lytic units, P < 0.01) and T (33.3 +/- 4.9 vs 21.4 +/- 2.1 cpm x 10(-3) using PHA, P < 0.05) cell function, despite no differences in circulating levels of lymphocyte subpopulations. Twelve weeks of moderate cardiorespiratory exercise improved the VO2max of the sedentary subjects 12.6%, but did not result in any improvement in NK cell activity or T cell function. Incidence of URTI was lowest in the highly conditioned group and highest in the calisthenic control group during the 12-wk study, with the walkers in an intermediate position (chi-square = 6.36, P = 0.042). In conclusion, the highly conditioned elderly women in this study had superior NK and T cell function when compared with their sedentary counterparts.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Influence of mode and carbohydrate on the cytokine response to heavy exertion.

OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was designed to determine the influence of exercise mode and 6% carbohydrate (C) versus placebo (P) beverage ingestion, on blood cell counts, plasma glucose, hormone, and inflammatory cytokine responses (five total samples over 9 h) to 2.5 h of high-intensity running and cycling (approximately 75% VO2max) by 10 triathletes who acted as their own controls. Statistical significance was set at P < or = 0.05. RESULTS: C relative to P ingestion (but not exercise mode) was associated with higher plasma levels of glucose and insulin, lower plasma cortisol and growth hormone, and diminished perturbation in blood immune cell counts. The pattern of change over time for interleukin (IL)-6 was significantly different between C and P conditions (P = 0.021) and between running and cycling modes (P < 0.001), with the lowest postexercise values seen in the C-cycling sessions (10.7 +/- 1.8 pg x mL(-1)) and the highest in the P-running sessions (51.6 +/- 14.2 pg x mL(-1)). The pattern of change over time between C and P conditions (but not modes) was significantly different for IL-1 receptor antagonist (P = 0.003), with values once again lowest for the C-cycling sessions (1.5 h postexercise, 301 +/- 114 pg x mL(-1)) and highest for the P-running sessions (1171 +/- 439 pg x mL(-1)). CONCLUSION: These data indicate that carbohydrate versus placebo ingestion (4 mL x kg(-1) carbohydrate or placebo every 15 min of the 2.5-h exercise bout) is associated with higher plasma glucose levels, an attenuated cortisol response, and a diminished pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine response.

Immune response to exercise training and/or energy restriction in obese women.

PURPOSE: The effect of exercise training (five 45-min walking sessions/wk at 60-75% maximum heart rate) and/or moderate energy restriction (4.19-5.44 MJ or 1,200-1,300 kcal x d(-1)) on innate and adaptive immunity (including mitogen-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation (MSLP), natural killer cell activity (NKCA), and monocyte and granulocyte phagocytosis and oxidative burst (MGPOB) was studied in obese women (N = 91, age 45.6 +/- 1.1 yr, body mass index 33.1 +/- 0.6 kg x m(-2)) randomized to one of four groups: control (C), exercise (E), diet (D), exercise, and diet (ED). METHODS: Aerobic power, body composition, and immune function were measured in all subjects before and after a 12-wk diet intervention period, with data analyzed using a 4 x 2 repeated measures design. All subjects self-reported symptoms of sickness in health logs using a precoded checklist. Statistical significance was set at P < or = 0.05. RESULTS: Data from this study indicate that although exercise training was unrelated to any significant changes in resting immune function, the number of days with symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) was reduced relative to subjects in the nonexercise groups (5.6 +/- 0.9 and 9.4 +/- 1.1 sickness days, respectively, P < 0.05). Energy restriction and weight loss (7.9 +/- 0.7 kg) was associated with a significant decrease in MSLP, but no change in NKCA, MGPOB, or URTI. CONCLUSION: The data are consistent the viewpoint that weight loss, even at a moderate rate, is associated with a decrease in mitogen-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation without a change in various measures of innate immunity of the blood compartment.

Effects of high- vs moderate-intensity exercise on natural killer cell activity.

The effect of 45 min of high- (80% VO2max) vs moderate- (50% VO2max) intensity treadmill exercise on natural killer cell cytotoxic activity (NKCA) was investigated in 10 well-conditioned (66.0 +/- 1.9 ml.kg-1.min-1), young males (22.1 +/- 1.3 yr). Blood samples were taken before and immediately after exercise, with three more samples taken during 3.5 h of recovery, and analyzed for proportion of NK cells (CD3-CD16+CD56+) and NKCA. Exercise at 80% vs 50% VO2max resulted in a greater immediate postexercise increase in proportion of NK cells, followed by a 1-h and 2-h decrease below preexercise levels for both intensity conditions. NKCA rose significantly above preexercise levels following high- but not moderate-intensity exercise. For both exercise intensity conditions, NKCA tended to drop below preexercise levels by 1 h postexercise, rising back to preexercise levels by 3.5 h postexercise. When NKCA was expressed on a per-NK cell basis, however, no change relative to preexercise levels occurred following moderate-intensity exercise, while a significant increase occurred after 2-h recovery from high-intensity exercise. These data demonstrate that both high- and moderate-intensity exercise are associated with significant shifts in circulating proportions of NK cells which significantly influence interpretation of NKCA data based on assays using separated mononuclear cells.

Carbohydrate affects natural killer cell redistribution but not activity after running.

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was designed to determine the influence of carbohydrate supplementation on the natural killer cell response to 2.5 h of high-intensity running (76.7 +/- 0.4% VO2max). Thirty experienced marathon runners (VO2max 53.4 +/- 1.0 mL x kg[-1] x min[-1], age 41.5 +/- 1.4 yr) were randomized into carbohydrate supplement (N = 17) and placebo (N = 13) groups. Subjects rested for 10-15 min before a blood sample at 0715, and then ingested 0.75 L of carbohydrate beverage (Gatorade) or placebo. At 0730, subjects began running at 75-80% VO2max for 2.5 h and drank 0.25 L of carbohydrate or placebo fluid every 15 min. Immediately after the 2.5 h run (1000), another blood sample was taken, followed by 1.5 h, 3 h, and 6-h recovery samples. Carbohydrate supplementation versus placebo had a significant effect on the pattern of change in glucose, cortisol, and the blood concentration of natural killer cells ([F (4,25) = 3.79, P = 0.015], but not natural killer cell activity following 2.5 h of intensive running.

Psychological response to exercise training and/or energy restriction in obese women.

OBJECTIVE: The effect of 12 weeks of exercise training (five 45-minute walking sessions/week at 60% to 75% maximum heart rate) and/or moderate energy restriction (4.19 to 5.44 MJ or 1200 to 1300 kcal/day) on psychological general well-being (GWB) and profile of mood states (POMS) was studied in obese women (n = 91, age 45.6 +/- 1.1 years, body mass index 33.1 +/- 0.6 kg/m2). METHODS: Subjects were randomized to one of four groups: control (C); exercise (E); diet (D); and exercise and diet (ED). Psychological variables were measured in all subjects at three timepoints--prestudy, 3 weeks, and poststudy--and analyzed using a 4 x 3 repeated measures design. RESULTS: GWB but not POMS was improved in ED (but not E or D) relative to C poststudy, especially in four of six subscales: freedom from health concern or worry, life satisfaction; cheerful versus depressed mood; and relaxed versus tense feelings. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that the combination of moderate energy restriction and exercise training during a 12-week period improves psychological general well-being scores but not mood states in obese subjects.

Food intake patterns of marathon runners.

A group of marathon runners (290 males, 54 females, mean age 39.7 +/- 0.7 years) who participated in the Los Angeles Marathon recorded their food and fluid intake throughout a 3-day period, with the time of day denoted for each entry. Investigators coded each subject's food intake according to six time periods: 5:00-8:59 a.m., 9:00-10:59 a.m., 11:00 a.m.-1:59 p.m., 2:00-3:59 p.m., 4:00-7:59 p.m., and 8:00 p.m.-4:59 a.m. The average intake of the runners consisted of 314 +/- 6 g (52.3%) carbohydrates, 83.2 +/- 2.0 g (30.7%) fat, and 99.7 +/- 2.3 g (16.5%) protein. Time periods for breakfast (13.7%), lunch (23.8%), and supper (34.0%) accounted for 71.5% of total caloric intake, with snack time periods contributing 28.5%. Breakfast calories were 68.9 +/- 0.9% carbohydrate and 20.4 +/- 0.7% fat in contrast to supper calories, which were 47.7 +/- 0.8% and 31.8 +/- 0.6%, respectively. A sizable proportion of the daily caloric intake of recreational marathon runners is contributed by snacks and food intake after 4:00 p.m.

The relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity, and dietary quality.

This study evaluated the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity, and dietary quality in a group of 20- to 40-year-old women (n = 34) who varied widely in levels of physical activity. Nutrient intakes were determined using 10 repeated 24-hr diet records, randomly assigned, over a 10-week period. Physical activity was determined on the same randomly assigned days using the Caltrac Personal Activity Computer. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed by two maximal graded treadmill tests with continuous metabolic monitoring at both the beginning and end of the 10-week period. Neither physical activity nor cardiorespiratory fitness was significantly correlated with nutrient density (nutrient/1,000 kcal). Intake of energy (kcal/kg body weight) was higher for the more physically active and fit women, leading to a significant increase in most nutrients consumed per kilogram of body weight.

Influence of diet and/or exercise on body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness in obese women.

The purpose of this study was to measure the influence of diet, exercise, or both on body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness in obese women. Ninety-one obese subjects were randomized into one of four groups: diet (D) (4.19-5.44 MJ or 1,200-1,300 kcal/day), exercise (E) (five 45-min sessions at 78.5+/-0.5% maximum heart rate), exercise and diet (ED), and controls (C). Maximal aerobic power and body composition were measured in all subjects before and after a 12-week diet intervention period. Subjects in D and ED lost 7.8+/-0.7 and 8.1+/-0.6 kg body mass, with no significant change for E relative to C. Losses of percent body fat and fat mass were significantly greater in D and ED but not in E relative to C. The change in VO2max was greater in ED and E but not D when compared to C. Results indicate that moderate aerobic exercise training during a 12-week period has no discernible effects on body composition but does improve cardiorespiratory fitness in dieting obese women.

Cardiorespiratory responses to exercise training in septuagenarian women.

Cardiorespiratory responses to a 12wk moderate exercise training program were examined in 30 sedentary elderly women (mean age = 73.6 +/- 0.7 yr). In addition, 12 highly conditioned (HC) older women (mean age = 72.5 +/- 1.8 yr; 11.2 +/- 1.2 yr training; 1.6 +/- 0.2 hr.d-1 aerobic activity) were tested at baseline for cross-sectional comparisons. The VO2max and VEmax of the HC subjects were 67% and 36% higher, respectively, (p < 0.001) than the combined sedentary subjects at baseline. Sedentary subjects were randomly assigned to a walking (WALK) or calisthenics control (CAL) group. The WALK group exercised 5 d.wk-1 for 30-40 min per session at 60.0 +/- 1.9% heart rate reserve while the CAL group engaged in mild musculoskeletal exercise. The WALK group demonstrated significant improvement in VO2max compared to CAL subjects at 12 wk (12.6% vs 2.2%, F = 5.74, p = 0.005). These data show that septuagenarian women demonstrate significant improvement in maximal cardiorespiratory fitness through moderate exercise training.