Abstract

A group of 36 urban sedentary males and females, members of a fitness club, underwent a 6-week course of intensive physical training to determine its effect on VO2 max. Prior to participation the group was screened for abnormalities of the cardiovascular, respiratory and musculo-skeletal systems. The degree of previous leisure and occupational physical activity was also determined. The subjects trained twice weekly, each 40-minute containing two 7-minute periods of intensive exercise on a bicycle ergometer. The work intensity increased by 5 every week. There were no dropouts. After 6 weeks the female group (19) showed a mean increase of 4,3 ml/kg/min or 11,8 of the initial mean value, the male group showed a mean increase of 5,7 ml/kg/min or 13,2 of the initial mean. There was no significant weight loss in either group. No musculo-skeletal complications were observed, due to the progressive nature ofthe training. The majority of the participants maintained their post-training working capacity. Verf.-Referat