Abstract
A threshold model postulates that prescriptively applying the appropriate cardiorespiratory and strength stimulus at a designated threshold of intensity for a brief time results in the targeted adaptations. A randomized control group design was used with 17 unfit males and females (mean age = 37.1 ± 6.5 year) assigned to an exercise group (n = 9) who performed a progressive cardiovascular graded exercise protocol and resistance training twice a week for 12 weeks or a nonexercising control group (n = 8). The intervention included a graded exercise protocol involving a 3-min warm-up, exercising 3–4 min at 70–80% of maximum heart rate, and a 3-min cooldown. Progressive resistance exercise consisted of one set of six repetitions on each of six resistance machines. Results showed that the exercise group increased predicted aerobic capacity by 13.4% (p < 0.05), decreased submaximal rate pressure product by 17.2% (p < 0.05), and increased strength by 34% (p < 0.01). The results support a threshold model and show that time for effective exercise can be substantially reduced.
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Winett, R.A., Wojcik, J.R., Fox, L.D. et al. Effects of Low Volume Resistance and Cardiovascular Training on Strength and Aerobic Capacity in Unfit Men and Women: A Demonstration of a Threshold Model. J Behav Med 26, 183–195 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023410302898
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023410302898