Self-Paced Brisk Walking is an Adequate Aerobic Training Stimulus for Morbidly Obese Patients: 2220

Patients in weight loss programs are often instructed to exercise, including walking as an aerobic stimulus. PURPOSE: This field study was conducted to determine whether a walking pace deemed 'brisk' by morbidly obese patients might serve as an aerobic training stimulus, defined as ≥70% of measured maximal heart rate. METHODS: Patients (n=14) underwent peak or symptom-limited maximal exercise stress testing with concominant ventilatory gas exchange analysis. Maximum heart rate (HRmax) and oxygen consumption (VO2max) were measured and compared with average heart rates (HRavg) observed during a 1 mile walking protocol. HRavg values were calculated from heart rates achieved during each minute of the mile. HRavg were compared with HRmax values to determine whether criteria were met for an aerobic training stimulus. RESULTS: Patients who were unable to complete a 1 mile walk for orthopedic or other reasons were excluded. Fourteen obese patients (10 women, 4 men) with a body mass index (BMI) >35 kg/m2 completed both the exercise testing and a 'brisk' 1 mile walk field test with no adverse clinical responses. All patients achieved >70% of HRmax during the walk (HRavg), indicating a minimal aerobic training stimulus was achieved. Demographic, exercise testing, and walk-test data are below, expressed as mean ± standard deviation.TableCONCLUSIONS: Self-paced 'brisk' walking intensity adequately achieved an aerobic stimulus based on heart rate in patients who completed a 1 mile field test. These data have relevance to activity counseling in morbidly obese individuals who desire to improve their cardiorespiratory fitness.