Both aerobic endurance and strength training programmes improve cardiovascular health in obese adults.

Regular exercise training is recognized as a powerful tool to improve work capacity, endothelial function and the cardiovascular risk profile in obesity, but it is unknown which of high-intensity aerobic exercise, moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or strength training is the optimal mode of exercise. In the present study, a total of 40 subjects were randomized to high-intensity interval aerobic training, continuous moderate-intensity aerobic training or maximal strength training programmes for 12 weeks, three times/week. The high-intensity group performed aerobic interval walking/running at 85-95% of maximal heart rate, whereas the moderate-intensity group exercised continuously at 60-70% of maximal heart rate; protocols were isocaloric. The strength training group performed 'high-intensity' leg press, abdominal and back strength training. Maximal oxygen uptake and endothelial function improved in all groups; the greatest improvement was observed after high-intensity training, and an equal improvement was observed after moderate-intensity aerobic training and strength training. High-intensity aerobic training and strength training were associated with increased PGC-1alpha (peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator 1alpha) levels and improved Ca(2+) transport in the skeletal muscle, whereas only strength training improved antioxidant status. Both strength training and moderate-intensity aerobic training decreased oxidized LDL (low-density lipoprotein) levels. Only aerobic training decreased body weight and diastolic blood pressure. In conclusion, high-intensity aerobic interval training was better than moderate-intensity aerobic training in improving aerobic work capacity and endothelial function. An important contribution towards improved aerobic work capacity, endothelial function and cardiovascular health originates from strength training, which may serve as a substitute when whole-body aerobic exercise is contra-indicated or difficult to perform.

[1]  M. Roizen.  Aerobic interval training versus continuous moderate exercise as a treatment for the metabolic syndrome: a pilot study , 2009 .

[2]  U. Wisløff,et al.  Aerobic Interval Training Versus Continuous Moderate Exercise as a Treatment for the Metabolic Syndrome: A Pilot Study , 2008, Circulation.

[3]  Godfrey L. Smith,et al.  Myocardial sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase function is increased by aerobic interval training , 2008, European journal of cardiovascular prevention and rehabilitation : official journal of the European Society of Cardiology, Working Groups on Epidemiology & Prevention and Cardiac Rehabilitation and Exercise Physiology.

[4]  A. Bauman,et al.  Physical activity and public health: updated recommendation for adults from the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association. , 2007, Circulation.

[5]  I-Min Lee,et al.  Physical activity and public health: updated recommendation for adults from the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association. , 2007, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[6]  H. Yoshimatsu,et al.  Measurement of the Brachial-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity and Flow-Mediated Dilatation in Young, Healthy Smokers , 2007, Hypertension Research.

[7]  Godfrey L. Smith,et al.  Superior Cardiovascular Effect of Aerobic Interval Training Versus Moderate Continuous Training in Heart Failure Patients: A Randomized Study , 2007, Circulation.

[8]  D. Kelly,et al.  Peroxisome Proliferator–Activated Receptor γ Coactivator-1 (PGC-1) Regulatory Cascade in Cardiac Physiology and Disease , 2007 .

[9]  T. Karlsen,et al.  Aerobic high-intensity intervals improve VO2max more than moderate training. , 2007, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[10]  William A. Dafoe,et al.  Principles of Exercise Testing and Interpretation , 2007 .

[11]  T. Rabelink,et al.  Endothelial function and dysfunction: testing and clinical relevance. , 2007, Circulation.

[12]  Jonathan P. Folland,et al.  Morphological and Neurological Contributions to Increased Strength , 2007, Sports medicine.

[13]  G. Kundt,et al.  Improvement of early vascular changes and cardiovascular risk factors in obese children after a six-month exercise program. , 2006, Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

[14]  K. Schmitz,et al.  Moderate resistance training and vascular health in overweight women. , 2006, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[15]  K. Pyke,et al.  The relationship between shear stress and flow‐mediated dilatation: implications for the assessment of endothelial function , 2005, The Journal of physiology.

[16]  P C de Groot,et al.  Endothelial function of young healthy males following whole body resistance training. , 2005, Journal of applied physiology.

[17]  G. Schuler,et al.  Antioxidative Effects of Exercise Training in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure: Increase in Radical Scavenger Enzyme Activity in Skeletal Muscle , 2005, Circulation.

[18]  A. Garnier,et al.  The FASEB Journal • Research Communication Coordinated , 2022 .

[19]  J. Helgerud,et al.  High intensity aerobic interval exercise is superior to moderate intensity exercise for increasing aerobic capacity in patients with coronary artery disease , 2004, European journal of cardiovascular prevention and rehabilitation : official journal of the European Society of Cardiology, Working Groups on Epidemiology & Prevention and Cardiac Rehabilitation and Exercise Physiology.

[20]  T. Jones,et al.  Exercise training normalizes vascular dysfunction and improves central adiposity in obese adolescents. , 2004, Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

[21]  K. Woo,et al.  Deleterious Impact of “High Normal” Glucose Levels and Other Metabolic Syndrome Components on Arterial Endothelial Function and Intima-Media Thickness in Apparently Healthy Chinese Subjects: The CATHAY Study , 2004, Arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology.

[22]  A. Garnier,et al.  Energy metabolism in heart failure , 2004, The Journal of physiology.

[23]  R. Leach,et al.  The obesity epidemic, metabolic syndrome and future prevention strategies , 2004, European journal of cardiovascular prevention and rehabilitation : official journal of the European Society of Cardiology, Working Groups on Epidemiology & Prevention and Cardiac Rehabilitation and Exercise Physiology.

[24]  J. Helgerud,et al.  Endurance and Strength Training for Soccer Players , 2004, Sports medicine.

[25]  W. Kraus,et al.  PGC-1α mRNA expression is influenced by metabolic perturbation in exercising human skeletal muscle , 2004 .

[26]  I-Min Lee,et al.  Relative Intensity of Physical Activity and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease , 2003, Circulation.

[27]  R. Collins,et al.  Age-specific relevance of usual blood pressure to vascular mortality: a meta-analysis of individual data for one million adults in 61 prospective studies , 2002, The Lancet.

[28]  Jukka T Salonen,et al.  The metabolic syndrome and total and cardiovascular disease mortality in middle-aged men. , 2002, JAMA.

[29]  J. Beyene,et al.  Prediction of Long-Term Prognosis in 12 169 Men Referred for Cardiac Rehabilitation , 2002, Circulation.

[30]  Victor F. Froelicher,et al.  Exercise capacity and mortality among men referred for exercise testing. , 2002, The New England journal of medicine.

[31]  E. Benjamin,et al.  Guidelines for the ultrasound assessment of endothelial-dependent flow-mediated vasodilation of the brachial artery: a report of the International Brachial Artery Reactivity Task Force. , 2002, Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

[32]  V F Froelicher,et al.  Exercise standards for testing and training: a statement for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association. , 2001, Circulation.

[33]  O. Raitakari,et al.  Flow-mediated dilatation. , 2000, British journal of clinical pharmacology.

[34]  G. Schuler,et al.  Effects of exercise training on left ventricular function and peripheral resistance in patients with chronic heart failure: A randomized trial. , 2000, JAMA.

[35]  P. Kopelman.  Obesity as a medical problem , 2000, Nature.

[36]  S. Blair,et al.  Effects of physical inactivity and obesity on morbidity and mortality: current evidence and research issues. , 1999, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[37]  G. Gaesser.  Thinness and weight loss: beneficial or detrimental to longevity? , 1999, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[38]  B. Dolezal,et al.  Concurrent resistance and endurance training influence basal metabolic rate in nondieting individuals. , 1998, Journal of applied physiology.

[39]  Treatment of Obesity in Adults.  Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults--The Evidence Report. National Institutes of Health. , 1998, Obesity research.

[40]  G. Dziekan,et al.  Effect of exercise training on myocardial remodeling in patients with reduced left ventricular function after myocardial infarction: application of magnetic resonance imaging. , 1997, Circulation.

[41]  E. Lesaffre,et al.  Correlation between Oxidized Low Density Lipoproteins and von Willebrand Factor in Chronic Renal Failure , 1996, Thrombosis and Haemostasis.

[42]  C. Melby,et al.  Postexercise energy expenditure in response to acute aerobic or resistive exercise. , 1994, International journal of sport nutrition.

[43]  David G. Behm,et al.  Velocity Specificity of Resistance Training , 1993, Sports medicine.

[44]  O. Sejersted,et al.  Effect of intensity of exercise on excess postexercise O2 consumption. , 1991, Metabolism: clinical and experimental.

[45]  G. Gaesser,et al.  Effects of high- and low-intensity exercise training on aerobic capacity and blood lipids. , 1984, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[46]  J. Bergström.  Percutaneous Needle Biopsy of Skeletal Muscle in Physiological and Clinical Research , 1975 .

[47]  J. Bergstrom.  Percutaneous needle biopsy of skeletal muscle in physiological and clinical research. , 1975, Scandinavian journal of clinical and laboratory investigation.