A new strategy for the implementation of an aerobic training session

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Sports Science
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Current aerobic training guidelines from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) provide general recommendations.
• Individual variability in maximal aerobic power (VO2max) and body mass (BM) can significantly impact the effectiveness of prescribed exercise.
• A need exists for more personalized aerobic training prescriptions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a novel strategy for adjusting aerobic training variables (intensity, duration, frequency, energy expenditure) based on ACSM guidelines and individual VO2max.
• To establish energy expenditure (EE) recommendations that account for subject body mass.
• To compare ACSM's EE recommendations (EE(ACSM)) with a calculated actual EE (EE(Actual)) based on individual parameters.

Main Methods:

• Developed 16 subcategories from ACSM guidelines to create linear regression models for aerobic variables.
• Generated equations to adjust training intensity, duration, frequency, and EE based on VO2max and BM.
• Compared EE(ACSM) with EE(Actual) across five BM categories and three aerobic fitness levels.

Main Results:

• New equations were derived to adjust aerobic training intensity, duration, frequency, and energy expenditure.
• The ACSM's EE recommendation was found to be inadequate in at least 60% of comparisons between EE(ACSM) and EE(Actual).
• Significant discrepancies highlight the limitations of generalized EE recommendations.

Conclusions:

• The proposed strategy offers criteria to adjust aerobic training variables according to individual capacity, potentially reducing imprecise exercise prescriptions.
• Further research, including cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, is needed to validate the linear model and proposed adjustments.
• Personalized aerobic training prescriptions based on VO2max and BM are crucial for optimizing exercise effectiveness and safety.