Development of aerobic fitness of individuals with substance abuse/dependence following long‐term individual physical activity

Thirty‐three individuals with substance abuse who completed a training programme 7.5 months ( s =4.1) in duration were evaluated on development of aerobic power and performance on a lactate profile test using directly measured V O 2max and measurement of blood lactate concentration. The group improved moderately on aerobic power (4%, s x =2, P= 0.020) and on performance at the lactate threshold (running: 7%, s x =3, P= 0.03; cycling: 13%, s x =5, P= 0.03). The low improvement rate compared with other studies may be attributed to the use of directly measured V O 2max , as indirect tests used in previous studies are prone to exaggerate the improvement. Those individuals whose aerobic fitness improved performed more of the training above threshold heart rate than those who did not improve ( P= 0.006), although the amount of training during the programme (315 h, s x =97 vs. 279 h, s x =89; P= 0.30) did not differ significantly. The programme is the first to show that direct testing of fitness using maximal tests is feasible for this patient group. The programme is also pioneering in the use of training partners to help patients with substance abuse and dependence conduct large amounts of training.