Article

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of brisk walking on
physical fitness, body composition and fasting lipid-lipoprotein profile of women
50-65 years-old, once adherence or exercise intensity is considered. METHODS: A
sample of 159 healthy, sedentary, obese postmenopausal women (body mass index
[BMI]=29-35kg/m(2)) was subjected to 3 sessions/week of 45 min-walking, at 60% of
heart rate reserve (HRR), during 16 weeks. Body composition, physical fitness and
fasting lipid-lipoprotein profile were assessed before and after the
intervention. RESULTS: Among the three tertiles of adherence to exercise sessions
(<71%, 71-87%,>87%) women displaying the greatest one were characterized by the
highest reduction in body weight (-1.9+/-2.7kg) (mean+/-SD), fat mass
(-2.0+/-2.3kg) and waist girth (-4.4+/-3.4cm) and the best improvement in
physical fitness (7.3+/-3.5mL O2/kg/min), (P<0.0001). A comparable analysis based
on tertiles of walking intensity (<56%, 56-63%,>63% HRR) did not show
between-group differences in body composition or physical fitness. Also, the
fasting lipid-lipoprotein profile was improved by a reduction of cholesterol, LDL
cholesterol, and triglyceride levels and by an increase in HDL cholesterol,
irrespective of the participants' adherence (0.05<P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: A high
practice rate seems to be the most important factor for physical fitness
improvement and fat mass loss. Health benefits appear at 78minutes of brisk walk
per week and increase with adherence to training, in moderately obese and
initially sedentary, postmenopausal women.
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Langue : ANGLAIS