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Updated: Aug 21, 2026
Conducting Maximal and Submaximal Endurance Exercise Testing to Measure Physiological and Biological Responses to Acute Exercise in Humans
Published on: October 17, 2018
The effects of short- vs. long-bout exercise on mood, VO2max, and percent body fat
Kannin B Osei-Tutu1, Phil D Campagna
1School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 3J5, Canada.
Background:
To compare the ACSM-CDC physical activity accumulation recommendation to the traditional recommendation, for impact on mood and physiological markers of fitness.
Methods:
Randomized controlled trial with sedentary male (n = 21) and female (n = 19) subjects assigned to walk either long bouts (LB; 30 min/day), short bouts (SB; 3 x 10 min/day), or a nonexercise control (CTL) group for 8 weeks. Pre- and post-measures were collected for V02max and percent body fat. Pre-, mid-, and post-measures were collected for the Profile of Mood States (POMS).
Results:
VO2max increased in the SB group (+7.2%) and LB (+6.7%; P < or = 0.05). Percent body fat decreased in the LB group (-6.7%; P < or = 0.05). Total mood disturbance (TMD) decreased in the LB and SB groups (P < or = 0.05); only the LB group showed reductions compared to the CTL group (P < or = 0.05). Tension-anxiety and vigor-activity were altered in the LB group compared to the other two groups (P < or = 0.05). Reductions in percent body fat correlated with TMD (r = 0.38; P < or = 0.05) and Tension-anxiety reduction (r = 0.40; P < or = 0.05).
Conclusions:
LB and SB walking produced similar and significant improvements in VO2max LB walking was more effective at reducing percent body fat, tension-anxiety and total mood disturbance, and increasing vigor compared to the control group.
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