NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release:
July 20, 2001
STUDY COMPARES MODES OF EXERCISE AND CORRESPONDING
ENERGY EXPENDITURE
Gender, mode, rates of perceived exertion reviewed
INDIANAPOLIS-The American College of Sports Medicine
(ACSM) will publish a study in the August 2001 issue of its official
monthly journal, Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise®,
which examines the difference between energy expenditure on six exercise
machines. The results of the study show significant differences among
exercise machines and between men and women, which may have implications
in terms of modes of exercise and in promoting health by staying with an
exercise program.
The researchers, led by Niall M. Moyna, Ph.D., of Dublin City
University, noted that despite accumulating evidence linking physical
inactivity with cardiovascular and other chronic diseases, the vast
majority of Americans lead sedentary lifestyles. They also noted that
ACSM and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) both recommend that
adults engage in moderate-intensity daily physical activity that require
approximately 200 kilocalories of energy expenditure.
"Research has shown that individuals who exercise usually self-select
an intensity of effort that ranges from fairly light to hard," said
Moyna. "We wanted to compare caloric expenditure on six commonly used
exercise machines at an intensity of effort perceived to be fairly
light, somewhat hard and hard."
The team recruited nine physically active men and ten physically
active women, all in their early to mid-twenties, healthy nonsmokers,
light to moderate recreational exercisers. All were screened for
medication and body fat percentage. Caloric expenditure was determined
during exercise on a rowing ergometer, rider, cross-country ski
simulator, stair-stepper, treadmill and cycle ergometer. The researchers
established exercise intensity, instructing each study participant to
exercise to fatigue. Heart rate, respiratory metabolic measures and
maximal oxygen uptake were all assessed throughout each six-minute
session.
Caloric expenditure during exercise at the same perceived effort
differed significantly between men and women and among machines. Caloric
expenditure at each exercise intensity was highest on the treadmill and
ski simulator in men, and on the treadmill, ski simulator and rowing
ergometer in women. Because lack of time is the most commonly cited
reason for not exercising, the researchers calculated how long it would
take men and women to burn 200 calories while exercising on the six
different machines at each intensity. The estimated time for men
required to burn 200 calories at an intensity of effort that was
perceived to be fairly light was 15 minutes on the treadmill and 31 on
the cycle ergometer, whereas women would have to exercise 21 minutes and
44 minutes respectively. This indicates that based on weight, women have
to exercise longer for similar caloric expenditure.
Noting that energy rankings would be different when applied to older
subjects with metabolic and other health abnormalities, the research
group concluded that individuals may achieve substantial health benefits
and stick to a regular exercise routine when they select an intensity of
effort that is perceptually preferable and maximizes caloric
expenditure.
The American College of Sports Medicine is the largest sports
medicine and exercise science organization in the world. Nearly 18,000
members throughout the U.S. and the world are dedicated to promoting and
integrating scientific research, education, and practical applications
of sports medicine and exercise science to maintain and enhance physical
performance, fitness, health, and quality of life.
NOTE: Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise® is the
official journal of the American College of Sports Medicine, and is
available from Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins at 1-800-638-6423. For
a complete copy of the research paper (Vol. 33, No. 8) or to speak with
a leading sports medicine expert on the topic, contact the Department of
Communications and Public Information at 317-637-9200. Visit ACSM online
at www.acsm.org.
The conclusions outlined in this news release are those of the
researchers only, and should not be construed as an official statement
of the American College of Sports Medicine.
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