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Open Access Thesis

Keywords

Exercise--Physiological aspects; Oxygen in the body; Running--Physiological aspects;

Abstract

Interval and continuous training and their effects on maximal oxygen consumption have been studied extensively. Virtually all of the studies reported in the literature have defined interval training as running a given distance at a maximal or near maximal intensity with intervening [sic] rest periods. This study defined interval training as running a given distance at a submaximal intensity of 85% of the maximum heart rate. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of interval and continuous training on the maximal oxygen consumption, performance on a 1.5 mile run, and body composition of college age males and females when the total workloads of both the interval and continuous training groups were held constant. It was hypothesized that no superiority would be shown between either inteval [sic] or continuous training in terms of improvement in maximal oxygen consumption, performance time on a 1.5 mile run, or body composition. Twenty-eight healthy untrained males and females, age 18-25, trained for six weeks in one of two training groups: an interval training group, and a continuous training group. Both training groups trained at 85% of the maximum heart rate for three days a week at the same total running and walking distance, hence the same total workload. A maximal oxygen consumption treadmill test was administered both before and after the training. In addition, skinfolds were measured and a 1.5 mile performance run was administered. There was an unexplainable decrease in the maximal oxygen consumption of the male interval group. All other training groups showed a practical improvement in absolute maximal oxygen consumption of 4.5-4.7%. While this improvement was not statistically significant, it was practically significant. Statistical analysis revealed that there was no difference between the improvements of any of the interval and continuous training groups in terms of maximal oxygen consumption. Body fat percentage was found to decrease following both types of training with neither method being superior. Performance time on the 1.5 mile run was also found to improve following both interval and continuous training with neither method found to be superior. These results indicate that both interval and continuous training performed at the same intensity, frequency, and distance, hence, total workload, will produce improvements in maximal oxygen consumption, performance on the 1.5 mile run, and body fat percentage with neither method being superior.

Year of Submission

1988

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

School of Health, Physical Education, and Leisure Services

First Advisor

Forrest Dolgener

Second Advisor

Larry D. Hensley

Third Advisor

N. Kay Covington

Comments

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Date Original

1988

Object Description

1 PDF file (70 leaves)

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