Abstract
This study determined whether persons with coronary risk factors have increased fatigue during or after exercise. Ratings of perceived exertion were first shown to be a valid measure of fatigue; i.e., ratings of perceived exertion correlated with heart rate both during and after exercise and at each of three exercise tests (all within-subjects r>0.88). Physical inactivity and smoking were associated with increased fatigue. Inactive men and smokers had higher levels of fatigue during both exercise and recovery conditions and at each of three exercise tests. The increased fatigue of men who were inactive and smoked was not entirely due to their lower level of fitness. The risk factors of age, Type A behavior pattern, blood pressure, serum cholesterol, serum high-density lipoprotein, and obesity were not associated with increased fatigue. The increased fatigue experienced by inactive persons and smokers may account for their decreased compliance to exercise programs.
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This research was supported by NHLBI Training Grant 5T32 HL07328-04 (Dr. Hughes), NHLBI Research Career Development Award 5K04 HL00287 (Dr. Jacobs), and University of Minnesota Grant BRSG 2-507-RR-05448-20 (Dr. Jacobs).
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Hughes, J.R., Crow, R.S., Jacobs, D.R. et al. Physical activity, smoking, and exercise-induced fatigue. J Behav Med 7, 217–230 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00845388
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00845388