The effects of a 12 week aerobic bench stepping conditioning program on cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular leg strength in college women
The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of a 12 week aerobic bench stepping conditioning program on maximum oxygen uptake, time on treadmill and muscular leg strength, measured by knee flexion and extension strength, on college women ranging in age from 18 to 25 years. Prior to a twelve week conditioning period subjects were assessed for maximum oxygen uptake (VO{dollar}\sb2{dollar} max) and time on treadmill (TOT) using a graded treadmill test. Muscular leg strength was measured using Bally's Life Fitness Machines, averaging three maximum knee flexion lifts and extension lifts. These same measurements were repeated following the 12 week aerobic bench stepping conditioning program. Results of the analyses indicated that the aerobic bench stepping period was of sufficient intensity, frequency and duration to elicit favorable responses in VO{dollar}\sb2{dollar} max (ml{dollar}\cdot{dollar}kg{dollar}\sp{-1}\cdot{dollar}min{dollar}\sp{-1}{dollar}) (P {dollar}<{dollar}.05), VO{dollar}\sb2{dollar} max (L{dollar}\cdot{dollar}min{dollar}\sp{-1}{dollar}) (P {dollar}<{dollar}.05), and Knee Extension Strength (P {dollar}<{dollar}.01). However, this training regimen did not favorably alter Time on Treadmill or Knee Flexion Strength.
Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations