Effect of individual counseling on physical activity fitness and health: a randomized controlled trial in a workplace setting. Exercise at an onsite facility with or without direct exercise supervision improves health‐related physical fitness and exercise participation: An 8‐week randomised controlled trial with 15‐month follow‐up Alcohol consumption and cardiorespiratory fitness in five population-based studies Comparison of lifestyle and structured interventions to increase physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness: a randomized trial. Dose-Response of Aerobic Exercise on Cognition: A Community-Based, Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial A Home- and Community-Based Physical Activity Program Can Improve the Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Walking Capacity of Stroke Survivors. Moderately intense physical activities and high levels of cardiorespiratory fitness reduce the risk of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in middle-aged men. The influence of high-intensity compared with moderate-intensity exercise training on cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition in colorectal cancer survivors: a randomised controlled trial Relationships among fitness, body composition, and physical activity. Various intensities of leisure time physical activity in patients with coronary artery disease: effects on cardiorespiratory fitness and progression of coronary atherosclerotic lesions. Correlates of cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness among Brazilian adolescents. Improvements in fundamental movement skill competency mediate the effect of the SCORES intervention on physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness in children Use of SPARK to promote after-school physical activity. Evaluating the effects of a low volume stairclimbing programme on measures of health-related fitness in sedentary office workers. Effects of adjunctive exercise on physiological and psychological parameters in depression: a randomized pilot trial. The effects of an afterschool physical activity program on working memory in preadolescent children. The Outcomes of a 12-Week Internet Intervention Aimed at Improving Fitness and Health-Related Quality of Life in Overweight Adolescents: The Young & Active Controlled Trial Effects of different doses of physical activity on cardiorespiratory fitness among sedentary, overweight or obese postmenopausal women with elevated blood pressure: a randomized controlled trial. A randomized trial of physical activity interventions: design and baseline data from project active. Effects of a Phase IV Home-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program on Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Physical Activity. Effects of a life skills intervention for increasing physical activity in adolescent girls. Work Ability, Physical Activity, and Cardiorespiratory Fitness: 2-year Results From Project Active Implementing intelligent physical exercise training at the workplace: health effects among office workers—a randomized controlled trial
BACKGROUND Physical inactivity and obesity are major public health problems . Our objective was to investigate the effectiveness of an individual counseling intervention at the workplace on physical activity fitness and health . Counseling content derived from the Patient-centered Assessment and Counseling for Exercise and Nutrition ( PACE ) program . METHODS A total of 299 employees of three municipal services in the Dutch town of Enschede were r and omly allocated into intervention ( n = 131 ) and control group ( n = 168 ) . Over a 9-month period , intervention group subjects were offered seven counseling sessions . Counseling was based on the individual 's stage of behavioral change using PACE physical activity and nutrition protocol s. Subjects in both the intervention and control group received written information about several lifestyle factors . Primary outcome measures were physical activity ( total energy expenditure , during sports activities , during physical activity leisure time other than sports , and meeting the moderate-intensity public health recommendations ) ; cardiorespiratory fitness ; and prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms . Secondary outcome measures were body composition ( body mass index [ BMI ] , and percentage of body fat measured via skinfold thicknesses ) ; blood pressure ; and blood cholesterol . RESULTS There were significant positive effects on total energy expenditure , physical activity during sports , cardiorespiratory fitness , percentage of body fat , and blood cholesterol . No effects were found for the proportion of subjects meeting the public health recommendation of moderate-intensity physical activity , physical activity during leisure time other than sports , prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms , body mass index , and blood pressure . CONCLUSIONS Individual face-to-face counseling at the workplace based on PACE protocol s positively influenced physical activity levels and some components of physical fitness . The implementation of workplace counseling programs for individuals should therefore be promoted ISSUE ADDRESSED Physical activity and exercise participation is limited by a perceived lack of time , poor access to facilities and low motivation . The aim was to assess whether providing an exercise program to be completed at the workplace with or without direct supervision was effective for promoting health-related physical fitness and exercise participation . METHODS Fifty university employees aged ( Mean ± SD ) 42.5 ± 11.1 years were prescribed a moderate- to vigorous-intensity aerobic and resistance exercise program to be completed at an onsite facility for 8 weeks . Participants were r and omly allocated to receive direct exercise supervision or not . Cardiorespiratory fitness ( V̇O2max ) and maximal muscular strength were assessed at baseline and 8 weeks . Self-report physical activity was assessed at baseline , 8 weeks and 15 months post-intervention . RESULTS Attendance or exercise session volume were not different between groups . Cardiorespiratory fitness ( Mean ± 95 % CI ) ; + 1.9 ± 0.7 mL·kg·min-1 ; P < .001 ) , relative knee flexion ( + 7.4 ± 3.5 Nm·kg-1 % ; P < .001 ) and extension ( + 7.4 ± 4.6 Nm·kg-1 % ; P < .01 ) strength increased , irrespective of intervention group . Self-reported vigorous-intensity physical activity increased over the intervention ( mean ± 95 % CI ; + 450 ± 222 MET·minutes per week ; P < .001 ) , but did not remain elevated at 15 months ( + 192 ± 276 MET·minutes per week ) . CONCLUSION Providing a workplace exercise facility to complete an individually-prescribed 8-week exercise program is sufficient to improve health-related physical fitness in the short-term independent to the level of supervision provided , but does not influence long-term participation . SO WHAT ? : Lower cost onsite exercise facility supervision is as effective at improving physical health and fitness as directly supervised exercise , however ongoing support may be required for sustained physical activity behaviour change Background Poor cardiorespiratory fitness is a risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity . Alcohol consumption contributes substantially to the burden of disease , but its association with cardiorespiratory fitness is not well described . We examined associations between average alcohol  consumption  , heavy episodic drinking and cardiorespiratory fitness . Design The design of this study was as a cross-sectional population -based r and om sample . Methods We analysed data from five independent population -based studies ( Study of Health in Pomerania ( 2008–2012 ) ; German Health Interview and Examination Survey ( 2008–2011 ) ; US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey ( NHANES ) 1999–2000 ; NHANES 2001–2002 ; NHANES 2003–2004 ) including 7358 men and women aged 20–85 years , free of lung disease or asthma .  Cardiorespiratory fitness , quantified by  peak oxygen uptake , was assessed using exercise testing . Information regarding average alcohol consumption ( ethanol in grams per day ( g/d ) ) and heavy episodic drinking ( 5 + or 6 + drinks/occasion ) was obtained from self-reports . Fractional polynomial regression models were used to determine the best-fitting dose-response relationship . Results Average alcohol consumption displayed an inverted U-type relation with peak oxygen uptake ( p-value<0.0001 ) , after adjustment for age , sex , education , smoking and physical activity . Compared to individuals consuming 10 g/d ( moderate consumption ) , current abstainers and individuals consuming 50 and 60 g/d had significantly lower peak oxygen uptake values ( ml/kg/min ) ( β coefficients = −1.90 , β = −0.06 , β = −0.31 , respectively ) . Heavy episodic drinking was not associated with peak oxygen uptake . Conclusions Across multiple adult population -based sample s , moderate drinkers displayed better fitness than current abstainers and individuals with higher average alcohol consumption CONTEXT Even though the strong association between physical inactivity and ill health is well documented , 60 % of the population is inadequately active or completely inactive . Traditional methods of prescribing exercise have not proven effective for increasing and maintaining a program of regular physical activity . OBJECTIVE To compare the 24-month intervention effects of a lifestyle physical activity program with traditional structured exercise on improving physical activity , cardiorespiratory fitness , and cardiovascular disease risk factors . DESIGN R and omized clinical trial conducted from August 1 , 1993 , through July 31 , 1997 . PARTICIPANTS Sedentary men ( n = 116 ) and women ( n = 119 ) with self-reported physical activity of less than 36 and 34 kcal/kg per day , respectively . INTERVENTIONS Six months of intensive and 18 months of maintenance intervention on either a lifestyle physical activity or a traditional structured exercise program . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Primary outcomes were physical activity assessed by the 7-Day Physical Activity Recall and peak oxygen consumption ( VO2peak ) by a maximal exercise treadmill test . Secondary outcomes were plasma lipid and lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations , blood pressure , and body composition . All measures were obtained at baseline and at 6 and 24 months . RESULTS Both the lifestyle and structured activity groups had significant and comparable improvements in physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness from baseline to 24 months . Adjusted mean changes ( 95 % confidence intervals [ CIs ] ) were 0.84 ( 95 % CI , 0.42 - 1.25 kcal/kg per day ; P<.001 ) and 0.69 ( 95 % CI , 0.25 - 1.12 kcal/kg day ; P = .002 ) for activity , and 0.77 ( 95 % CI , 0.18 - 1.36 mL/kg per minute ; P = .01 ) and 1.34 ( 95 % CI , 0.72 - 1.96 mL/kg per minute ; P<.001 ) for VO2peak for the lifestyle and structured activity groups , respectively . There were significant and comparable reductions in systolic blood pressure ( -3.63 [ 95 % CI , -5.54 to -1.72 mm Hg ; P<.001 ] and -3.26 [ 95 % CI , -5.26 to -1.25 mm Hg ; P = .002 ] ) and diastolic blood pressure ( -5.38 [ 95 % CI , -6.90 to -3.86 mm Hg ; P<.001 ] and -5.14 [ 95 % CI , -6.73 to -3.54 mm Hg ; P<.001 ) for the lifestyle and structured activity groups , respectively . Neither group significantly changed their weight ( -0.05 [ 95 % CI , -1.05 to 0.96 kg ; P = .93 ] and 0.69 [ 95 % CI , -0.37 to 1.74 kg ; P = .20 ] ) , but each group significantly reduced their percentage of body fat ( -2.39 % [ 95 % CI , -2.92 % to -1.85 % ; P<.001 ] and -1.85 % [ 95 % CI , -2.41 % to -1.28 % ; P<.001 ] ) in the lifestyle and structured activity groups , respectively . CONCLUSIONS In previously sedentary healthy adults , a lifestyle physical activity intervention is as effective as a structured exercise program in improving physical activity , cardiorespiratory fitness , and blood pressure Epidemiological studies suggest a dose-response relationship exists between physical activity and cognitive outcomes . However , no direct data from r and omized trials exists to support these indirect observations . The purpose of this study was to explore the possible relationship of aerobic exercise dose on cognition .  Underactive or sedentary participants without cognitive impairment were r and omized to one of four groups : no-change control , 75 , 150 , and 225 minutes per week of moderate-intensity semi-supervised aerobic exercise for 26-weeks in a community setting . Cognitive outcomes were latent residual scores derived from a battery of 16 cognitive tests : Verbal Memory , Visuospatial Processing , Simple Attention , Set Maintenance and Shifting , and Reasoning . Other outcome measures were cardiorespiratory fitness ( peak oxygen consumption ) and measures of function functional health . In intent-to-treat ( ITT ) analyses ( n = 101 ) , cardiorespiratory fitness increased and perceived disability decreased in a dose-dependent manner across the 4 groups . No other exercise-related effects were observed in ITT analyses . Analyses restricted to individuals who exercised per- protocol ( n = 77 ) demonstrated that Simple Attention improved equivalently across all exercise groups compared to controls and a dose-response relationship was present for Visuospatial Processing . A clear dose-response relationship exists between exercise and cardiorespiratory fitness . Cognitive benefits were apparent at low doses with possible increased benefits in visuospatial function at higher doses but only in those who adhered to the exercise protocol . An individual ’s cardiorespiratory fitness response was a better predictor of cognitive gains than exercise dose ( i.e. , duration ) and thus maximizing an individual ’s cardiorespiratory fitness may be an important therapeutic target for achieving cognitive benefits . Trial Registration Clinical Trials.gov BACKGROUND The cardiorespiratory fitness of stroke survivors is low . Center-based exercise programs that include an aerobic component have been shown to improve poststroke cardiorespiratory fitness . This pilot study aims to determine the feasibility , safety , and preliminary efficacy of an individually tailored home- and community-based exercise program to improve cardiorespiratory fitness and walking capacity in stroke survivors . METHODS Independently ambulant , community-dwelling stroke survivors were recruited . The control  ( n = 10 ) and intervention ( n = 10 ) groups both received usual care . In addition the intervention group undertook a 12-week , individually tailored , home- and community-based exercise program , including once-weekly telephone or e-mail support . Assessment s were conducted at baseline and at 12 weeks . Feasibility was determined by retention and program participation , and safety by adverse events . Efficacy measures included change in cardiorespiratory fitness ( peak oxygen consumption [ VO2peak ] ) and distance walked during the Six-Minute Walk Test ( 6MWT ) . Analysis of covariance was used for data analysis . RESULTS All participants completed the study with no adverse events . All intervention participants reported undertaking their prescribed program . VO2peak improved more in the intervention group ( 1.17 ± .29 L/min to 1.35 ± .33 L/min ) than the control group ( 1.24 ± .23 L/min to 1.24 ± .33 L/min , between-group difference = .18 L/min , 95 % confidence interval [ CI ] : .01-.36 ) . Distance walked improved more in the intervention group ( 427 ± 123 m to 494 ± 67 m ) compared to the control group ( 456 ± 101 m to 470 ± 106 m , between-group difference = 45 m , 95 % CI : .3 - 90 ) . CONCLUSIONS Our individually tailored approach with once-weekly telephone or e-mail support was feasible and effective in selected stroke survivors . The 16 % greater improvement in VO2peak during the 6MWT achieved in the intervention versus control group is comparable to improvements attained in supervised , center-based programs BACKGROUND Physical activity has been advocated as an important factor in the primary prevention of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus ( NIDDM ) , but information concerning the specific intensities and duration s that are protective has been unavailable . OBJECTIVE To examine prospect ively the association between self-reported levels of the intensity and duration of physical activities  , and cardiorespiratory fitness ( assessed by  respiratory gas exchange )  and incident cases of NIDDM ( assessed by the oral glucose tolerance test ) in a population -based sample of 897 middle-aged Finnish men . RESULTS After adjustment for age , baseline glucose values , body mass index , serum triglyceride levels , parental history of diabetes , and alcohol consumption , moderately intense physical activities ( > or = 5.5 metabolic units ) that were undertaken for at least a 40-minute duration per week were associated with a reduced risk of NIDDM ( odds ration [ OR ] , 0.44 ; 95 % confidence interval [ CI ] , 0.22 - 0.88 ) . Activities with less than an intensity of 5.5 metabolic units , regardless of their duration , were not protective . Cardiorespiratory fitness levels greater than 31.0 mL of oxygen per kilogram per minute were protective against NIDDM ( OR , 0.26 ; 95 % CI , 0.08 - 0.82 ) . A subgroup of men at high risk of NIDDM , because they were overweight and were hypertensive and had a positive parental history of NIDDM , who engaged in moderately intense physical activities above the 40-min/wk duration reduced their risk of NIDDM by 64 % compared with men who did not participate in such activities . CONCLUSIONS After adjustment for age , baseline glucose levels , and known risk factors , physical activities with an intensity of 5.5 metabolic units or greater and a duration of 40 minutes or greater per week protected against the development of NIDDM . These protective effects were even more pronounced in a subgroup of men who were at high risk for the development of the disease Purpose Following colorectal cancer diagnosis and anti-cancer therapy , declines in cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition lead to significant increases in morbidity and mortality . There is increasing interest within the field of exercise oncology surrounding potential strategies to remediate these adverse outcomes . This study compared 4 weeks of moderate-intensity exercise ( MIE ) and high-intensity exercise ( HIE ) training on peak oxygen consumption ( V̇O2peak ) and body composition in colorectal cancer survivors . Methods Forty seven post-treatment colorectal cancer survivors ( HIE = 27 months post-treatment ; MIE = 38 months post-treatment ) were r and omised to either HIE [ 85–95 % peak heart rate ( HRpeak ) ] or MIE ( 70 % HRpeak ) in equivalence with current physical activity guidelines and completed 12 training sessions over 4 weeks . Results HIE was superior to MIE in improving absolute ( p = 0.016 ) and relative ( p = 0.021 ) V̇O2peak . Absolute ( + 0.28 L.min−1 , p < 0.001 ) and relative ( + 3.5 ml.kg−1.min−1 , p < 0.001 ) V̇O2 peak were increased in the HIE group but not the MIE group following training . HIE led to significant increases in lean mass ( + 0.72 kg , p = 0.002 ) and decreases in fat mass ( −0.74 kg , p < 0.001 ) and fat percentage ( −1.0 % , p < 0.001 ) , whereas no changes were observed for the MIE group . There were no severe adverse events . Conclusions In response to short-term training , HIE is a safe , feasible and efficacious intervention that offers clinical ly meaningful improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition for colorectal cancer survivors . Implication s for Cancer SurvivorsHIE appears to offer superior improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition in comparison to current physical activity recommendations for colorectal cancer survivors and therefore may be an effective clinical utility following treatment PURPOSE This study was design ed to examine the associations of physical activity and body composition with cardiorespiratory fitness in eighth grade girls . METHODS A r and om sample of 1440 eighth grade girls at 36 schools participated in this cross-sectional investigation , which represented an ethnically and geographically diverse group .  Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed using a modified physical work capacity test on a cycle ergometer that predicted workload at a heart rate of 170 beats.min . Physical activity was assessed over 6 d in each girl using an accelerometer and body composition was estimated from body mass index and triceps skinfolds using a previously vali date d equation . Pearson correlations and multiple regression analyses were used to determine the relationships among fitness , physical activity , and body composition . RESULTS Significant linear relationships among cardiorespiratory fitness , body composition , and physical activity were found . The combination of fat and fat-free mass along with racial group and a race by fat-free-mass interaction accounted for 18 % ( R ) of the variation in physical fitness . Adding moderate-to-vigorous physical activity to the regression model increased the R to 22 % . Black girls had somewhat lower fitness levels ( P < 0.05 ) especially at higher levels of fat and fat-free mass than other racial/ethnic groups . CONCLUSIONS Physical activity , fat-free mass , and the interaction between fat-free mass and racial group are significantly associated with cardiorespiratory fitness in adolescent girls OBJECTIVES This study was design ed to define the effect of different levels of leisure time physical activity on cardiorespiratory fitness and progression of coronary atherosclerotic lesions in unselected patients with coronary artery disease . BACKGROUND It has been shown in various studies that regression of coronary atherosclerotic lesions can be achieved by means of lipid-lowering drugs , reduction of fat consumption and physical exercise . METHODS Patients were prospect ively r and omized either to an intervention group ( n = 29 ) participating in regular physical exercise or to a control group ( n = 33 ) receiving usual care .  Energy expenditure in  leisure time physical activity  was estimated from st and ardized question naires and from participation in group exercise sessions . After 12 months of participation , repeat coronary angiography was performed ; coronary lesions were measured by digital image processing . RESULTS After 1 year , patients in the intervention group achieved an increase in oxygen uptake at a ventilatory threshold of 7 % ( p < 0.001 ) and peak exercise of 14 % ( p < 0.05 ) , whereas a significant decrease was observed in patients in the control group . To achieve significant improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness , approximately 1,400 kcal/week had to be expended in the form of leisure time  physical activity ( p < 0.001 ) . The mean energy expended in such activity was 1,876 + /- 163 kcal/week in the intervention group and 1,187 + /- 97 kcal/week in the control group ( p < 0.001 ) . In the intervention group , regression of coronary artery disease was noted in 8 patients ( 28 % ) , progression of disease in 3 ( 10 % ) and no change in coronary morphology in 18 ( 62 % ) . In contrast , coronary artery disease progressed at a significantly faster rate in patients in the control group ( progression in 45 % , no change in 49 % and regression in 6 % ) ( p < 0.001 vs. intervention ) . When the two groups were combined , the lowest level of leisure time physical activity was noted in patients with progression of disease ( 1,022 + /- 142 kcal/week ) as opposed to patients with no change ( 1,533 + /- 122 kcal/week ) or regression of disease ( 2,204 + /- 237 kcal/week ) ( p < 0.005 ) . CONCLUSIONS Measurable improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness requires approximately 1,400 kcal/week of leisure time physical activity ; higher work loads are necessary to halt progression of coronary atherosclerotic lesions ( 1,533 + /- 122 kcal/week ) , whereas regression of coronary lesions is observed only in patients expending an average of 2,200 kcal/week in leisure time physical activity , amounting to approximately 5 to 6 h/week of regular physical exercise OBJECTIVE To analyze socioeconomic indicators , physical activity ( PA ) opportunities , and behavioral correlates of cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness among Brazilian boys and girls . METHODS A sample of 1555 adolescents was r and omly selected . Age- and sex-specific st and ard scores were calculated for each fitness component . RESULTS Among boys , head of household 's schooling , involvement in organized PA , meeting the PA recommendations , and computer/games use were associated with cardiorespiratory fitness . Involvement in organized PA and active time in Physical Education ( PE ) classes were predictors of muscular fitness . Among girls , active time in PE classes and TV watching were predictors of cardiorespiratory fitness . Meeting the PA recommendations was associated with muscular fitness . CONCLUSION PA variables and sedentary behaviors should be independently considered for physical fitness promotion in youth Abstract Numerous studies have identified a positive association between fundamental movement skill ( FMS ) competency and physical activity in children ; however , the causal pathways have not been established . The aim of this study is to determine if changes in FMS competency mediated the effect of the Supporting Children ’s Outcomes using Rewards , Exercise and Skills ( SCORES ) intervention on physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness in children . Eight primary schools ( 25 classes ) and 460 children ( aged 8.5 ± 0.6 , 54 % girls ) were r and omised to the SCORES intervention or control group for the 12-month study . The outcomes were accelerometer-determined moderate-to-vigorous physical activity ( MVPA ) and cardiorespiratory fitness . The hypothesised mediators were actual FMS competency and perceived sport competence . Mediation analyses were conducted using multilevel linear analysis in MPlus . From the original sample , 138 ( 30.0 % ) and 370 ( 80.4 % ) children provided useable physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness data at post-test assessment s. There were significant treatment effects for locomotor skills and overall FMSs . Changes in MVPA were associated with changes in object-control skills , overall FMSs and perceived competence . The overall FMSs had a significant mediating effect on MVPA ( AB = 2.09 , CI = 0.01–4.55 ) . Overall FMSs ( AB = 1.19 , CI = 0.002–2.79 ) and locomotor skills ( AB = 0.74 , CI = 0.01–1.69 ) had a significant mediating effect on cardiorespiratory fitness . The results of this study conclude that actual but not perceived movement skill competency mediated the effect of the SCORES intervention on physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness BACKGROUND The after-school period is potentially an important venue for increasing physical activity for youth . We sought to assess the effectiveness of the Sports , Play , and Recreation for Youth ( SPARK ) program to increase physical activity and improve cardiorespiratory fitness and weight status among elementary students after school . METHODS This quasi-experimental controlled study compared change in moderate to vigorous physical activity ( MVPA ) , body mass index ( BMI ) z-score , and cardiorespiratory fitness ( VO(2 ) ) over 5 months between students in after-school programs exposed to SPARK versus controls . Participants were fifth grade students at 3 intervention schools ( N = 48 ) and 3 control schools ( N = 52 ) . RESULTS There was no difference between groups in mean change in MVPA , BMI z-score , or cardiorespiratory fitness . After-school time dedicated to physical activity did not increase with the implementation of SPARK . Intervention students ' self- assessment of their activity levels relative to their peers significantly increased compared to control students ( p = .011 ) . CONCLUSIONS In this 5-month study , the SPARK program did not increase MVPA in the after-school setting . Increasing the amount of time dedicated to physical activity may be as important as the curriculum used to effectively increase physical activity after school Despite its obvious advantages , few studies have examined health outcomes of regular stariclimbing . In this study , we investigated the training effects of eight weeks of stairclimbing on recognised measures of health-related fitness in an occupational setting . Forty-five public sector employees ( 22 male , 23 female ) aged 42.3 ± 9.0 years were r and omly assigned to control ( n = 16 ) or stairclimbing  ( n = 29 ) groups . Stairclimbing training began with 1 bout 5d·wk(-1 ) in week 1 , increasing by one climb per day every two weeks until week 5 , where a maintenance level of 3 climbs per day was reached . Participants climbed on staircases located within an 8 storey office block , consisting of 145 steps . The prescribed exercise intensity involved climbing the 8 flights of stairs at a rate of 75 steps·min(-1 ) . All participants agreed not to change their diet or lifestyle over the experimental period . Relative to controls , the stairclimbing group showed a significant increase of 9.4 % in predicted VO2max ( p < 0 . 05 ) . No significant changes in blood pressure , blood lipid concentrations or body composition were noted . These findings provide evidence that stairclimbing can enhance an important component of health-related fitness , namely cardiovascular fitness . Given that such improvement result ed from less than 30 minutes per week of moderate exercise , stairclimbing in the workplace should be promoted as a health-enhancing physical activity . Key pointsLow volumes of stairclimbing significantly increased a key component of cardiorespiratory fitness , namely VO2max . Stairclimbing can therefore be promoted within the typical urban workplace as a health enhancing activity . Indices of morphological or metabolic fitness may require larger volumes of stairclimbing than as prescribed in the current study OBJECTIVE Major depressive disorder ( MDD ) is associated with decreased physical activity and increased rates of the metabolic syndrome ( MetS ) , a risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disorders . Exercise training has been shown to improve cardiorespiratory fitness and metabolic syndrome factors . Therefore , our study aim ed at examining whether patients receiving an exercise program as an adjunct to inpatient treatment will benefit in terms of physiological and psychological factors . METHOD Fourty-two in patients with moderate to severe depression were included . Twenty-two patients were r and omized to additional 3x weekly exercise training ( EXERCISE ) and compared to treatment as usual ( TAU ) . Exercise capacity was assessed as peak oxygen uptake ( VO2peak ) , ventilatory anaerobic threshold ( VAT ) and workload expressed as Watts ( W ) . Metabolic syndrome was defined according to NCEP ATPIII panel criteria . RESULTS After 6 weeks of treatment , cardiorespiratory fitness ( VO2peak , VAT , Watt ) , waist circumference and HDL cholesterol were significantly improved in EXERCISE participants . Treatment response expressed as ≥50 % MADRS reduction was more frequent in the EXERCISE group . CONCLUSIONS Adjunctive exercise training in depressed in patients  improves physical fitness , MetS factors , and psychological outcome . Given the association of depression with cardiometablic disorders , exercise training is recommended as an adjunct to st and ard antidepressant treatment The present study examined the effects of a 9-month r and omized control physical activity intervention aim ed at improving cardiorespiratory fitness on changes in working memory performance in preadolescent children relative to a waitlist control group . Participants performed a modified Sternberg task , which manipulated working memory dem and s based on encoding set sizes , while task performance and the contingent negative variation ( CNV ) event-related brain potential were measured . Analyses revealed that the physical activity intervention led to increases in cardiorespiratory fitness and improved Sternberg task performance . Further , the beneficial effects of the physical activity intervention were greater for a task condition requiring greater working memory dem and s. In addition , the intervention group exhibited larger initial CNV at the frontal electrode site , relative to the waitlist group at post-test ; an effect not observed during the pre-test . These results indicate that increases in cardiorespiratory fitness are associated with improvements in the cognitive control of working memory in preadolescent children Background Overweight and obesity among adolescents may have consequences , with potentially lasting effects on health and health-related quality of life ( HRQoL ) . Excess weight is also associated with decreases in physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness . The aim of the current study was to investigate the short-term effects of a 12-week Internet intervention in a primary care setting intended to increase cardiorespiratory fitness and HRQoL among overweight and obese adolescents . Methods In this controlled trial , participants ( 13–15 years ) were non-r and omly allocated to an intervention- or a control group . The intervention group received 12-weeks access to an online program providing tailored physical activity counseling based on principles from Self-determination Theory and Motivational Interviewing . The control group received st and ard follow-up by the school nurses . The primary outcome measure of cardiorespiratory fitness was determined using a shuttle run test . The secondary outcomes : HRQoL , leisure time exercise , body image and self-determined motivation for physical activity and exercise , were assessed by self-report measures . Age- and gender-adjusted body mass index ( BMI ) was calculated based on measurements of height and weight . To compare pre-to post intervention differences within groups , a paired sample s t-test was used while crude differences between groups were analyzed with an independent sample s t-test . Results Of the 120 participants , 108 completed the study , 75 in the intervention group and 33 in the control group . Exposure to the intervention had a small effect on cardiorespiratory fitness ( 0.14 ; 95 % CI [ 0.01;0.28 ] ; P = 0.04 ) , and a moderate effect on HRQoL ( 5.22 ; 95 % CI [ 0.90 ; 9.53 ] ; P = 0.02 ) . Moreover , the control group increased significantly in BMI , yielding a moderate preventive effect on BMI ( −0.39 ; 95 % CI [ −0.74;−0.03 ] ; P = 0.03 ) for the intervention group . Conclusion The results suggest that the Internet intervention with tailored physical activity counseling can have beneficial short-term effect on cardiorespiratory fitness , HRQoL and BMI among adolescents with overweight and obesity . Trial Registration Clinical Trials.gov CONTEXT Low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness are associated with high risk of mortality , and improvements in fitness are associated with reduced mortality risk . However , a poor underst and ing of the physical activity-fitness dose response relation remains . OBJECTIVE To examine the effect of 50 % , 100 % , and 150 % of the NIH Consensus Development Panel recommended physical activity dose on fitness in women . DESIGN , SETTING , AND PARTICIPANTS R and omized controlled trial of 464 sedentary , postmenopausal overweight or obese women whose body mass index ranged from 25.0 to 43.0 and whose systolic blood pressure ranged from 120.0 to 159.9 mm Hg . Enrollment took place between April 2001 and June 2005 in the Dallas , Tex , area . INTERVENTION Participants were r and omly assigned to 1 of 4 groups : 102 to the nonexercise control group and 155 to the 4-kcal/kg , 104 to the 8-kcal/kg , and 103 to the 12-kcal/kg per week energy-expenditure groups for the 6-month intervention period . Target training intensity was the heart rate associated with 50 % of each woman 's peak Vo2 . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The primary outcome was aerobic fitness assessed on a cycle ergometer and quantified as peak absolute oxygen consumption ( Vo2abs , L/min ) . RESULTS The mean ( SD ) baseline Vo2abs values were 1.30 ( 0.25 ) L/min . The mean ( SD ) minutes of exercising per week were 72.2 ( 12.3 ) for the 4-kcal/kg , 135.8 ( 19.5 ) for the 8-kcal/kg , and 191.7 ( 33.7 ) for the 12-kcal/kg per week exercise groups . After adjustment for age , race/ethnicity , weight , and peak heart rate , the exercise groups increased their Vo2abs compared with the control group by 4.2 % in the 4-kcal/kg , 6.0 % in the 8-kcal/kg , and 8.2 % in the 12-kcal/kg per week groups ( P<.001 for each vs control ; P for trend < .001 ) . There was no treatment x subgroup interaction for age , body mass index , weight , baseline Vo2abs , race/ethnicity , or baseline hormone therapy use . There were no significant changes in systolic or diastolic blood pressure values from baseline to 6 months in any of the exercise groups vs the control group . CONCLUSION In this study , previously sedentary , overweight or obese postmenopausal women experienced a grade d dose-response change in fitness across levels of exercise training . TRIAL REGISTRATION clinical trials.gov Identifier : NCT00011193 We report here the design and baseline data from Project Active , a 2-yr r and omized trial design ed to compare the effectiveness of a Lifestyle physical activity intervention with the traditional Structured exercise prescription approach . Primary outcome measures are energy expenditure in physical activity ( estimated by kcal per kilogram of body weight of energy expenditure ) and cardiorespiratory fitness ( measured by maximal oxygen uptake ) . The participants , 235 initially sedentary and apparently healthy adults , were r and omized into either the Lifestyle or Structured intervention groups . The Lifestyle treatment consists of a personalized approach that accounts for an individual 's motivational readiness and preferences for integrating physical activity into daily routines . The Structured approach is the familiar exercise prescription that is based on a frequency , intensity , and duration formula . The primary hypothesis to be tested is that there will be a difference in physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness measures between the two conditions at the end of 24 months . The secondary hypothesis is that both groups will make significant improvements from baseline in physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness at the end of 6 months . Six months of active intervention are followed by 18 months of a tapered follow-up maintenance intervention in both groups . Primary outcome measures are measured after 6 and 24 months BACKGROUND Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally and sedentary lifestyle is one of the main risk factors . Home-based cardiac rehabilitation ( CR ) programs appear to be effective to improve exercise tolerance . The aim of the study , therefore , was to evaluate the effects of a phase IV ( maintenance ) home-based CR program on cardiorespiratory fitness and daily physical activity of patients recovering from an acute myocardial infa rct ion . METHODS This pilot study , with a sub-group r and omised controlled trial , included 32 individuals recovering from a myocardial infa rct ion , r and omly divided into the experimental group ( EG , n=16 ) and the control group ( CG , n=16 ) . The EG performed an exercise program , three times per week , at home during eight weeks . The two groups received health education sessions . Baseline and final assessment s included cardiorespiratory fitness , resting and peak heart rate , blood pressure and rate pressure , heart rate recovery and daily physical activity . ( Clinical Trials.gov : NCT01887080 ) . RESULTS At baseline no significant differences were observed between groups . After eight weeks of exercise , the EG significantly increased peak oxygen uptake ( p=0.02 ) , test duration ( p=0.019 ) , peak rate pressure ( p=0.003 ) , peak heart rate ( p=0.003 ) and heart rate recovery ( 0.025 ) when compared to the CG . No changes were observed on daily physical activity in both groups . CONCLUSION This specific phase IV home-based exercise program seems to improve cardiorespiratory fitness , haemodynamics at peak exercise and heart rate recovery , an indicator of cardiac autonomic function BACKGROUND Although adolescence is a time when physical activity levels decline , few interventions have targeted high school-aged girls in the school setting . OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of a life skills-oriented physical activity intervention for increasing overall physical activity in high school-aged girls . DESIGN R and omized controlled trial . SETTING Baltimore magnet high school . PARTICIPANTS A total of 221 ninth- grade girls , 83.0 % of whom were African American . Intervention Participants were r and omized to an 8-month physical intervention conducted in physical education class or to a st and ard physical education class ( control ) . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Self-reported estimated daily energy expenditure ( physical activity ) , self-reported sedentary activities ( television viewing and computer or Internet use ) , cardiorespiratory fitness , and selected cardiovascular disease risk factors . RESULTS Intervention classes spent 46.9 % of physical education class time in moderate to vigorous activity compared with 30.5 % of time for control classes ( P<.001 ) . There were no significant between-treatment group differences for mean daily energy expenditure ( P = .93 ) , moderate-intensity energy expenditure ( P = .77 ) , or hard to very hard energy expenditure ( P = .69 ) . The proportion of participants who spent 3 or more hours viewing television during school days declined from 22.3 % to 17.0 % in the intervention group , but remained at 26.7 % for the control group ( P = .03 ) . Both groups improved their cardiorespiratory fitness ( P<.001 ) . CONCLUSION A life skills-oriented physical education curriculum may need to be combined with other approaches to increase the magnitude of effects on physical activity behavior in predominantly African American high school-aged girls An adequate level of physical activity may maintain or promote work ability in aging workers . Project Active is a r and omized trial comparing a Lifestyle physical activity program with a Structured exercise program in sedentary but healthy adults aged 35 to 60 years . Subjects in both groups received 6 months of intensive intervention followed by 18 months of active follow-up .  The total number of subjects was 235 , from which 80 subjects participated in the work ability assessment . Primary outcome measures were energy expenditure ( kcal · kg−1 · day−1 ) , cardiorespiratory fitness ( peak oxygen uptake in ml · min−1 · kg−1 ) , and the Work Ability Index . At 6 months , daily energy expenditure had increased significantly over baseline ( mean ± SD , from 33.0 ± 0.9 to 34.4 ± 1.8 kcal · kg−1 · day−1 ) and was maintained over baseline at 24 months ( 34.0 ± 2.5 kcal · kg−1 · day−1 ) . The significant increase in energy expenditure was observed particularly in moderate levels of activity . The average percentage of body fat was significantly higher at baseline compared with 6 months and 24 months . Peak oxygen uptake increased from baseline significantly during the first 6 months ( from 29.6 ± 5.7 to 30.6 ± 6.3 ml · min−1 · kg−1 ) and decreased to the baseline level ( 29.1 ± 5.5 ml · min−1 · kg−1 ) at 24 months . At baseline , the average Work Ability Index was 44.2 ± 4.0 , and it remained unchanged at 6 months ( 44.4 ± 3.9 ) and at 24 months ( 44.2 ± 3.1 ) . In conclusion , a 2-year physical activity intervention increased daily energy expenditure , reduced body fat , and maintained peak oxygen uptake in healthy , middle-aged , sedentary subjects .  The average Work Ability Index score at baseline was excellent and did not change during the 2-year physical activity interventions Purpose The aim was to assess 1-year cardiovascular health effects of Intelligent Physical Exercise Training , IPET . Methods Office workers from six companies were r and omized 1:1 to a  training group , TG ( N = 194 ) or a  control group  , CG ( N = 195 ) . TG received 1-h supervised high intensity IPET every week within working hours for 1 year , and was recommended to perform 30-min of moderate intensity physical activity 6 days a week during leisure . The training program was based on baseline health check measures of cardiorespiratory fitness ( CRF ) , body composition , blood pressure , blood profile , and musculoskeletal health . Results There were no baseline differences between groups . CRF assessed as VO2max in absolute values and relative to body weight was ( mean ± SD ) : 3.0 ± 0.8 l/min and 35.4 ± 10.9 ml/min/kg for females , 3.9 ± 1.0 l/min and 37.9 ± 11.79 ml/min/kg for males . Intention to treat analysis demonstrated a significant almost 5 % increase in VO2max in TG compared with CG . A per protocol analysis of those with an adherence of ≥70 % demonstrated a significant increase in CRF of more than 10 % compared with CG , and a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure ( −5.3 ± 13.7 mm Hg ) compared with CG . Conclusion High intensity IPET combined with the recommendations of moderate intensity physical activity demonstrated significant clinical relevant improvements in CRF and systolic blood pressure . This underlines the effectiveness of health promotion by implementing physical exercise training at the workplace
Conclusions Workplace-based physical activity interventions consisting of at least moderate-intensity activity improve cardiorespiratory fitness .
At the present time , we surmise that no single group of employees ( e.g. older employees or less fit individuals ) can be definitively identified as st and ing to benefit more from workplace physical activity interventions than others .
This demonstrates the potential utility of workplace physical activity interventions for improving cardiorespiratory fitness in a broad range of healthy employees .
Background Cardiorespiratory fitness is a strong predictor of all-cause mortality .
Physical activity of at least moderate intensity can improve cardiorespiratory fitness .
Workplaces may provide a relatively controlled setting in which to improve cardiorespiratory fitness through physical activity .
Limited work has been conducted to quantify the impact of delivering physical activity in the workplace on cardiorespiratory fitness .
Objective The objective of this systematic review was to quantify the effects of workplace physical activity interventions on peak oxygen consumption ( VO2peak ) and explore study and participant characteristics as putative moderators .