A comparison of single-versus multi-modal exercise programs: effects on aerobic power

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a 10-week single mode (SM) training program (walk/jog) versus a multimode (MM) training program (walk/jog, cycle, arm crank) on peak aerobic power (VO2 peak) during three ergometry modes. Twenty Ss were stratified initially according to gender and then randomly assigned to either of the treatment groups. Seven additional Ss served as controls. Peak VO2 was determined during treadmill running, cycle ergometry and arm crank ergometry prior to and after ten weeks of training. Training for the SM group (N = 9) consisted of walk/jog three days per week for five weeks at approximately 50-60% peak VO2 and an energy cost of approximately 2400 kJ per week, then increased to approximately 3200 kJ for the duration of the study. Training for the MM group (N = 8) was isoenergetic to the SM group. However, the training differed in that subjects exercised one day walk/jog, one day cycling, and one day arm cranking. Controls were tested twice with no treatment between. Post-training VO2 peaks for the three ergometry modes were analyzed with an analysis of covariance, utilizing pre-training scores as a statistical covariate. The post-training SM VO2 was found to be significantly greater than either the MM or C when testing on the treadmill. No other comparison was statistically significant. These data support the concept that a conditioning program can become sufficiently variable so that expected increases in aerobic power are not produced, despite the fact that isoenergetic training is undertaken.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)