Effects of a Combined Aquatic Exercise and Walking in Sedentary Obese Females Undergoing a Behavioral Weight-Loss Intervention

Background: The effects of the non-weight bearing method of aquatic exercise as a modality for weight loss have not been established. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a combined aquatic exercise and walking program compared to walking alone on body weight and selected variables in obese females undergoing a 16-week Standard Behavioral Treatment (SBT) program. Methods: Forty-four obese (BMI 34.9 ± 3.8 kg·m2) sedentary women (age=40.3 years ± 6.8 yrs) were randomly assigned to either an aquatic exercise (AE) group or a traditional walking (W) exercise only group. Both groups were also required to complete 3 sessions of home based walking per week, and reduce energy intake to facilitate weight loss. Results: In the AE group, total body weight, cardiorespiratory fitness, flexibility, strength, and health-related quality of life outcomes significantly improved over time similar to the W group. Significantly greater enjoyment scores also occurred in the AE group. Conclusion: Aquatic exercise in combination with walking can serve as an alternative to walking exercise alone for overweight women during periods of weight loss, and this can improve functional health status

Relation of Income and Education Level with Cardiorespiratory Fitness

International Journal of Exercise Science 8(3): 265-276, 2015. While there is strong evidence measuring the association between leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and socioeconomic status (SES) there are limited data on the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and SES. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine differences in CRF and LTPA between household income and individual education in young adults. A sample of 171 (males n=98, female n=73) young adults participated in the University of Pittsburgh-Physical Activity Study. Participants completed CRF testing. Demographic characteristics were assessed via interviewer administered standardized survey and LTPA was assessed using the interviewer administered Modifiable Activity Questionnaire. Participants were grouped by income and education level. Analysis of variance and general linear modeling was used to compare LTPA and CRF between groups. There were no differences in CRF between income levels (p=0.126) or education levels (p=0.990) for the total sample. There were no differences in LTPA between income levels (p=0.936) or education level (p=0.182) for the total sample. Results suggest that neither income nor education levels are indicators of CRF in this sample of young adults. Other environmental, sociological, or familial health mediators may have a strong effect on CRF in young adult males and females