The effect of intensity controlled aerobic dance exercise on aerobic capacity of middle‐aged, overweight women

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of intensity controlled exercise on the aerobic capacity of overweight, middle‐aged women. Thirty‐eight moderately overweight women, ages 35–57, participated in a 16‐week dance‐exercise program. Random assignment was made to an experimental group ( n = 20) in which intensity of exercise was controlled and prescribed, and a control group ( n = 18) in which exercise was of an intensity typical to commercial aerobic classes. Prior to the onset of training, and at the completion of 16 weeks, the following fitness tests were administered: Aerobic capacity expressed as VO 2 max, body composition analysis, blood chemistry, blood pressure, resting heart rate, muscular endurance, and flexibility. T‐tests, ANCOVA, and gain‐score analyses were utilized to evaluate data. Both groups showed small changes in weight, percent fat, resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure, resting heart rate, high density lipoprotein‐cholesterol (HDL‐C), muscular endurance, and flexibility, but these changes were statistically nonsignificant. The VO 2 max for the experimental group increased 41%, while the VO 2 max for the control group increased 22% ( p < 0.05). The results suggest that the cardiovascular fitness changes for overweight, middle‐aged women are greater when exercise intensity and progression are tailored to their age and fitness level.