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Recent research has shown more favorable training adaptations for inactive adults when cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) exercise is prescribed with the use of ventilatory thresholds compared to percentages of heart rate reserve (HRR). However, there is limited research on changes in health-related outcomes with the use of these CRF methods in combination with muscular fitness exercises. The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two training programs for improving CRF, muscular fitness, and cardiometabolic risk factors. Inactive men and women (n=109, aged 49.3±15.5 years) were randomized to a non-exercise control group or one of two exercise training groups. The exercise training groups consisted of 13 weeks of structured exercise with progression using either CRF exercise prescribed with the use of ventilatory thresholds and functional training for muscular fitness (THRESH group) or HRR and traditional muscular fitness training (STND group). After the 13-week protocol, there were significant differences in body weight, body composition, systolic blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), VO2max, 5-repetition maximum (RM) bench press, and 5-RM leg press for both treatment groups compared to the control group after controlling for baseline values. However, the THRESH group had significantly more desirable outcomes for VO2max, 5-RM bench press, 5-RM leg press, body composition, and HDL-c when compared to both the STND and control group. Additionally, the proportion of individuals estimated as likely to respond above 3.5 mL½kg-1½min-1 in VO2max (i.e., the minimal clinically important difference) was 76.4%, 20.8%, and 0.13% for the THRESH, STND, and control groups, respectively. While both exercise programs elicited favorable health-related adaptations after 13 weeks, these results suggest that a personalized program with exercise prescribed based on ventilatory threshold and with the use of functional muscular fitness training may yield greater training adaptations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fitness-fatness index (FFI) is used to identify those at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular events. It is measured as the ratio between an individual's cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and waist-to-height ratio. Studies suggest that CRF and waist-to-height ratio are modifiable and can be improved by exercise. However, there is limited evidence surrounding a personalized approach to exercise prescription. This study investigated the impact of a 12-week personalized exercise program on FFI among sedentary individuals. It was hypothesized that the intervention would be effective in improving FFI in this cohort. One hundred and forty-two participants were randomized into two groups: i) personalised community-based intervention (n = 70); or ii) control (n = 72). Both groups underwent baseline anthropometric testing and a submaximal 'talk-test' to determine individual exercise intensities and baseline FFI. During the intervention, the control group underwent normal activities, whilst the treatment group received a 12-week personalised exercise program based on the American Council on Exercise (ACE) Integrated Fitness Training (IFT) guidelines. After 12-weeks, the treatment group demonstrated a significant increase in FFI (+13%), whilst the control group (-2%) showed a slight decrease (between-group difference, p = < 0.001). Both CRF (+12%) and waist-to-height (-2%) also showed significant favourable changes in the treatment group, with no change in the control group (between group difference, p = 0.01). These findings indicate that a personalised approach to exercise prescription using the ACE IFT guidelines are beneficial in reducing FFI. Consequently, FFI could be implemented within standardized approaches to exercise to help reduce the risk of developing chronic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Despite knowledge of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) training responders and nonresponders, it is not well understood how the exercise intensity prescription affects the incidence of response. The purpose of this study was to determine CRF training responsiveness based on cohort-specific technical error after 12 wk of standardized or individually prescribed exercise and the use of a verification protocol to confirm maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2max). Methods: Sedentary adult participants (9 men, 30 women; 48.2 ± 12.2 yr) completed exercise training on 3 d·wk−1 for 12 wk, with exercise intensity prescribed based on standardized methods using heart rate reserve or an individualized approach using ventilatory thresholds. A verification protocol was used at baseline and 12 wk to confirm the identification of a true V˙O2max and subsequent relative percent changes to quantify CRF training responsiveness. A cohort-specific technical error (4.7%) was used as a threshold to identify incidence of response. Results: Relative V˙O2max significantly increased (P < 0.05) from 24.3 ± 4.6 to 26.0 ± 4.2 and 29.2 ± 7.5 to 32.8 ± 8.6 mL·kg−1·min−1 for the standardized and individualized groups, respectively. Absolute V˙O2max significantly increased (P < 0.05) from 2.0 ± 0.6 to 2.2 ± 0.6 and 2.4 ± 0.8 to 2.6 ± 0.9 L·min−1 for the standardized and individualized groups, respectively. A significant difference in responsiveness was found between the individualized and standardized groups with 100% and 60% of participants categorized as responders, respectively. Conclusions: A threshold model for exercise intensity prescription had a greater effect on the incidence of CRF training response compared with a standardized approach using heart rate reserve. The use of thresholds for intensity markers accounts for individual metabolic characteristics and should be considered as a viable and practical method to prescribe exercise intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Evidence suggests considerable heterogeneity in exercise-induced changes in cardiorespiratory fitness and common cardiometabolic risk factors, with some individuals even experiencing adverse responses when exposed to regular exercise training. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two exercise training programs for improving fitness and cardiometabolic health. Methods: Sedentary men and women (n=46) performed 60-75 min/day, 3 days/wk for 13wk according to one of two exercise training regimens: 1) a standardised program, or 2) an individualised program (ACE IFT). Results: Maximal oxygen uptake (V02max), body composition, systolic blood pressure (BP), and muscular fitness increased more favourably (p<0.05) in the ACE IFT treatment group. In the standardised treatment group 64.3% (9/14) of individuals experienced a favourable change in relative VO2max (Δ > +5.9%) and were categorised as responders. Alternatively, exercise training in the ACE IFT treatment group elicited a positive improvement in relative VO2max (Δ > +5.9%) in 100% (14/14) of the individuals. Furthermore, the incidence of anthropometric, cardiometabolic, and muscular fitness responders to exercise training were overall more favourable (p<0.05) in the ACE IFT treatment group: waist circumference (92.9% vs. 78.6%), percent body fat (100.0% vs. 78.6%), systolic BP (100.0%vs. 42.9%), HDL cholesterol (100.0% vs 50%), blood glucose (92.9% vs.42.9%), bench press 5-RM (100.0% vs 64.3%), and leg press 5-RM (100.0% vs 64.3%). Conclusions: The major findings from the present study were as follows: 1) an individualised exercise prescription elicited significantly (p<0.05) greater improvements in V02max, muscular fitness, and key cardiometabolic risk factors when compared to a standardised exercise prescription, and 2) an individualised exercise prescription increased training responsiveness when compared to a standardised exercise training program as evidenced by the significantly reduced (p<0.05) incidence of exercise training non-responders in the ACE IFT treatment group. These novel findings are encouraging and underscore the importance of a personalised exercise prescription to enhance training efficacy and limit training unresponsiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Physical activity has been linked to a plethora of associated health outcomes; however, the majority of Americans are not engaging in enough activity to meet the minimum guidelines. Ultimate Frisbee may serve as an alternate to more traditional physical activity modalities. The purpose of this study was (a) to assess the cardiovascular and metabolic responses to Ultimate Frisbee and (b) to determine if Ultimate Frisbee meets current guidelines for improving and maintaining cardiorespiratory fitness. Methods: Sixteen men and women (mean ± SD: age, height, weight, body composition, and VO2max = 21.4 ± 1.3 years, 175.3 ± 8.6 cm, 66.0 ± 8.6 kg, 8.8 ± 5.3 %, and 57.1 ± 7.3 mL/kg/min, respectively) completed both a maximal graded exercise test and 20-min simulated Ultimate Frisbee match on non-consecutive days. Cardiovascular and metabolic data were collected via a portable calorimetric measurement system. Results: Overall heart rate for the 20-min Ultimate Frisbee simulated match was 148.1 ± 15.4 beats/min, which corresponded to 65.3 ± 11.6% HRR. Exercise intensity in METs was 9.5 ± 1.6, which equated to 61.2 ± 11.6% VO2R. Total energy expenditure for a simulated Ultimate Frisbee match was 1994.9 ± 545.6 kJ/ match. Conclusions: Results indicate that Ultimate Frisbee is a feasible alternative to more traditional aerobic exercise modalities for healthy adults that fulfills guidelines for improving and maintaining cardiorespiratory fitness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which examines the physiological responses that Zumba Gold, a modified version of the group-based exercise Zumba, have on middle-aged and older populations. Metabolic and cardiologic response of the participants were gathered after the Zumba Gold sessions. The results indicate that participating such exercise will elicit cardiorespiratory fitness to the participants.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of either continuous moderate intensity exercise training (CMIET) alone vs. CMIET combined with a single weekly bout of high intensity interval training (HIIT) on cardiorespiratory fitness. Twenty nine sedentary participants (36.3 ± 6.9 yrs) at moderate risk of cardiovascular disease were recruited for 12 weeks of exercise training on a treadmill and cycle ergometer. Participants were randomised into three groups: CMIET + HIIT (n = 7; 8-12 x 60 sec at 100% VO2max, 150 sec active recovery), CMIET (n = 6; 30 min at 45-60% oxygen consumption reserve (VO2R)) and a sedentary control group (n = 7). Participants in the CMIET + HIIT group performed a single weekly bout of HIIT and four weekly sessions of CMIET, whilst the CMIET group performed five weekly CMIET sessions. Probabilistic magnitude-based inferences were determined to assess the likelihood that the true value of the effect represents substantial change. Relative VO2max increased by 10.1% (benefit possible relative to control) in in the CMIET + HIIT group (32.7 ± 9.2 to 36.0 ± 11.5 mL·kg(-1)·min(-1)) and 3.9% (benefit possible relative to control) in the CMIET group (33.2 ± 4.0 to 34.5 ± 6.1 mL·kg(-1)·min(-1)), whilst there was a 5.7% decrease in the control group (30.0 ± 4.6 to 28.3 ± 6.5 mL·kg(-1)·min(-1)). It was 'unclear' if a clinically significant difference existed between the effect of CMIET + HIIT and CMIET on the change in VO2max. Both exercising groups showed clinically meaningful improvements in VO2max. Nevertheless, it remains 'unclear' whether one type of exercise training regimen elicits a superior improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness relative to its counterpart. Key PointsBoth continuous moderate intensity exercise training (CMIET) alone and CMIET combined with a single weekly bout of high intensity interval training (CMIET + HIIT) elicit 'possibly beneficial' clinically meaningful improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness.Cardiorespiratory fitness improved by ~1.0 MET in the CMIET + HIIT exercise intervention group, which likely leads to important long-term prevention implications as a 1 MET increase in cardiorespiratory fitness has been linked with an 18% reduction in deaths due to CVD.There was 100% adherence to interval sessions in the CMIET + HIIT group, suggesting this combination of training can be well-tolerated in previously inactive overweight/obese individuals.