Abstract

The aerobic exercise programs by Cooper for improving cardiorespiratory fitness have been evaluated. It was found that exercise intensities were often too high (> VO2 max), and in these cases the programs have been adjusted. The modified programs for walking (W), cycling (C) and running (R) have been tested for their practicability and effect. The W and C programs were studied in a group of 71 healthy volunteers, aged 30-50, during 24 weeks.The R program was studied during 10 weeks in 35 volunteers, aged 30-40. TwentyW, C and 8 R participants dopped out of the study during the training period. The amount of exercise performed by the subjects varied widely. The increase of VO2 max was 12.5 in the W, C and 14 in the R program. No clear effect on body weight or body composition was found. In the W, C programs, no injuries occurred that forced participants to interrupt training, in contrast to the R program where 26 of the subjects suffered from injuries that required them to interrupt or reduce training. A follow-up study 1 year after the end of the W, C study showed that 34 of the participants were still exercising regularly, but they had not been able to maintain their VO2 max at the posttraining program level. Verf.-Referat