Cardiovascular, Hemodynamic, and Anthropometric Adaptations Induced by Walking Training at FATmax in Obese Males and Females over 45 Years Old

Aims and Objectives: The present study aimed to examine the effects of 6 months of unsupervised training, walking at maximal fat oxidation (FATmax), on body composition and cardiovascular function at rest and exercise, in middle aged obese subjects. Methods and results: A single group with pre-test/post-test study design was conducted. Eighteen obese subjects (11 males and 7 females) over 45 were engaged in a non-supervised walking training for 6 months, 40 min, 3 times per week, at the targeted HR corresponding to FATmax (5.5 ± 0.6 km·h−1). This training modality led to a reduction in obesity-related indicators among participants, including weight (−3.7 ± 3.4 kg), BMI (−1.4 ± 1.3 kg/m2), waist circumference (−5.6 ± 4.7 cm), and body fat percentage (−2.1 ± 2.7%). However, we observed a great variability in this response to training according to individuals. Furthermore, heart rate and rate of pressure product (RPP) at rest significantly decreased (6% and 11% respectively) as well as the cardiac load during exercise (RPP −11% and cardiac cost −8%) after training. In conclusion, walking at FATmax is an efficient non-supervised training modality, allowing improvement in both body parameters and cardiovascular markers at rest and during exercise in middle age obese subjects. Even if body parameter changes were modest, the cardiac load decrease is an important factor for reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases in this population.