The efficacy of accumulated short bouts versus single daily bouts of briskwalking in improving aerobic fitness and blood lipid profiles

Fifty-six subjects (19 men and 37 woman) aged between 40 and 66 completed t he study. They were allocated into three walking groups and a control group (C). The three walking groups performed the same total amount of walking f or 18 weeks, but completed it in bouts of differing durations and frequenci es. These mere Long Walkers (LW; 20-40 min/bout), Intermediate Walkers (IW; 10-15 min/bout) and Short Walkers (SW; 5-10 min/bout); with the IW and SW performing more than one bout of walking a day. Following the 18 week walki ng programme, compared to the C group all walking groups showed similar imp rovements in fitness as determined by a reduction in blood lactate during a graded treadmill walking test (LW 1.0 mmol/l; IW 0.8 mmol/l; SW 1.2 mmol/l ; C 0.2 mmol/l; P = 0.003) and reduction in final heart rate (LW 8 beats/mi n; IW 6 beats/min; SW 10 beats/min; C 0 beats/min; P = 0.056). Also compare d to the C group, the LW and IW groups recorded statistically significant d ecreases in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LW 0.29 mmol/l; IW 0.41 mm ol/l; P = 0.024), whereas the control group showed a mean increase of 0.22 mmol/l. The LW and IW groups also showed significant reductions in apolipop rotein (apo) A-LI (LW 0.05 gn; IW 0.02 g/l; SW 0.01 g/l; C 0.00 g/l; P = 0. 012) with the LW recording a statistically significant increase in the rati o of apo A-YA-II (LW: 0.19, P 0.044). In conclusion, some health benefits w ere achieved from all walking programmes. However, whilst the changes in ae robic fitness were similar, the effects upon blood lipid profiles were not. The findings from this study suggest that the LW regimen was most effectiv e in benefiting blood lipid profile, followed by the IW regimen, with the S W being least potent. Nevertheless, for the sedentary/low-active members of society, any improvement in health may be considered as important. Therefo re accumulated bouts of moderate intensity exercise, which according to the ories of exercise behaviour may be more easily incorporated into an individ ual's lifestyle than single prolonged bouts, may be advocated for health pr omotion but may not be as effective as the traditionally prescribed 20-40 m in bouts.