Abstract des Autors

Thirty healthy female subjects (mean age 37.9+/-2.4 y) were recruited and tested for body composition (31.5+/-1.0% body fat) and maximal aerobic power (32.7+/-1.1 ml/kg/min). During the test session, subjects reported to the laboratory not having ingested food for 3-4 hours, and sat for 10-15 minutes prior to measurement of resting metabolic rate (RMR). This was immediately followed by 5 minutes of sitting exercises with an exercise assist device called the BODY BAT® Aerobic Exerciser. The BODY BAT® resembles a pair of baseball bats seamlessly joined together end-to-end with the handles and the end knobs facing in opposite directions. Subjects held the implement with both hands while simultaneously swinging it across their bodies in a side-to-side pendulum motion. The swing rate was 60/min to shoulder height, during which metabolic measures were taken using the MedGraphics CPX Express metabolic system (MedGraphics Corporation, St. Paul, MN). Next, the subjects walked at 4.0 and 4.8 km/h on the treadmill with (5 minutes) or without (5 minutes) the BODY BAT®, with the order randomized between subjects and counterbalanced. The swing rate equaled the step rate and was self-selected by the subjects. Energy expenditure increased an average of 1.32 +/-0.09 kcal/min (or 120% above RMR when using the BODY BAT® in the seated position. Energy expenditure increased an average of 1.45+/-0.11 kcal/min (or 43%) and 1.32+/-0.16 kcal/min (or 33%) when using the BODY BAT® during walking at 4.0 and 4.8 km/h, respectively. In summary, use of the BODY BAT® in the seated position more than doubles the rate of Energy expenditure when compared to seated rest. When walking 4.0-4.8 km/h, use of the BODY BAT® adds 1.32-1.45 kcal/min, a 33%-43% increase above walking without this exercise assist device. Verf.-Referat