The effect of a structured exercise program on physical daily activity levels of previously sedentary and habitually active adults

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Authors
Thornhill, Annie N.
Advisor
Schneider, Patrick L.
Issue Date
2006
Keyword
Degree
Thesis (M.S.)
Department
School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science
Other Identifiers
Abstract

This study examined the effect of a moderate intensity exercise training program on daily physical activity levels of previously sedentary and habitually active adults. Previously sedentary subjects wore a pedometer while completing a seven consecutive day baseline physical activity measurement. After the seven day baseline trial, they received a traditional exercise prescription for 6 weeks while continuing to wear the pedometer every day. Habitually active subjects wore a pedometer for seven consecutive days while continuing their normal daily and exercise routines. Results showed that the previously sedentary subjects increased their physical activity levels by approximately 2,000 steps/day after starting a structured exercise program. On the non-exercise days, there was little to no change in physical activity levels (7,354 ± 2,344 steps/day) for the sedentary subjects when compared to the baseline daily physical activity levels (7,232 ± 1,692 steps/day). The habitually active group showed significantly higher (p<0.05) physical activity levels (12,389 ± 3,391 steps/day) when compared to the sedentary group's 6h week physical activity levels (9,697 ± 2,212 steps/day). In addition, the habitually active group showed similar physical activity levels on non-exercise days (8,780 ± 3,295 steps/day) when compared to the sedentary group's 6h week physical activity on non-exercise days (7,354 ± 2,344 steps/day). In conclusion, in previously sedentary subjects, a moderate intensity exercise program resulted in a significant increase in daily physical activity but not to the level of the habitually active subjects.

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