This study was designed to ascertain whether 7- and 13-wk interval training programs with training frequencies of 2 days/wk would produce improvement in maximal aerobic power (VO2max) comparable to that obtained from 7- and 13-wk programs of the same intensity consisting of 4 training days/wk. Sixty-nine young healthy college males were used as subjects. After training, there was a significant increase in VO2max (bicycle ergometer, open-circuit spirometry) that was independent of both training frequency and duration. However, there was a trend for greater gains after 13 wk. Maximal heart rate (direct lead ECG) was significantly decreased following training, being independent of both training frequency and duration. Submaximal VO2 did not change with training but submaximal heart rate decreased significantly with greater decreases the more frequent and longer the training. Within the limitations of this study, these results indicate that: 1) maximal stroke volume and/or maximal avO2 difference, principle determinants of VO2max, are not dependent on training frequency nor training duration, and 2) one benefit of more frequent and longer duration interval training is less circulatory stress as evidenced by decreased heart rate, during submaximal exercise.

We tested the hypothesis that weight training would be an effective modality in maintaining or increasing bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and bone mineral content (BMC) at the distal wrist in early postmenopausal women. A total of 17 women completed a 9 month weight-training program, and 9 women served as a control group. Resistance training occurred three times per week using exercises designed to increase muscular strength. Mean change in lumbar BMD in the weight-trained group (1.6 +/- 1.2%, mean +/- SEM) was significantly different from the change in the control group (-3.6 +/- 1.5%, p less than 0.01) over the 9 month period. No significant weight-training effect was detected at the femoral neck or distal wrist site. We conclude that weight training may be a useful exercise modality for maintaining lumbar BMD in early postmenopausal women.

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We tested the effects of 9 d of a high-carbohydrate diet (80% of calories as CHO, 80% CHO diet) vs. a moderate-CHO diet (43% of calories as CHO, 43% CHO diet) on the abilities ofcollegiate swimmers to maintain a high intensity of interval swim training. Interval swim times and other physiological indices were recorded the last 5 d of each diet. Swim-interval distances ranged from 50-rn interval sets to continuous 3000-rn swims. There were no diet effects on mean swim velocities for any interval distance, and mean (±SEM) velocities for all swims were identical for both diets. There were no diet effects on the physiological indices; however, postswim blood lactate concentrations were higher after the 80% CHO diet. When mean ± SEM daily caloric intake is 19.56 ± 2.16 MJ (4675 ± 5 16 kcal) for swimmers undertaking swim training to develop aerobic capacity, an 80% CHO diet provides no advantage over a 43% CHO diet for maintaining interval-swim-training intensity.

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