Personalized Exercise Training Maximizes Comprehensive Training Responsiveness in Adults At-Risk for Cardiovascular Disease: 3711 Board #158 June 3 9

PURPOSE: Previous research has identified considerable variability in training responsiveness among individuals exposed to regular exercise. While examining the considerable heterogeneity in exercise-induced changes in cardiorespiratory fitness and common cardiometabolic risk factors, it has been identified that an individualized and evidence-based approach to exercise prescription may be necessary to optimize training efficacy and reduce training unresponsiveness. The purpose of this study was to compare comprehensive training responsiveness between two exercise training programs: personalized vs. standardized. METHODS: Sedentary men and women (n=46, ages 44 to 83 yrs) were randomized into a non-exercising control group or one of two exercise training treatment groups: 1) standardized group (exercise intensity prescribed according to heart rate reserve) or 2) personalized group (exercise intensity prescribed according to ventilatory thresholds). Exercise training was performed 60-75 min/day on 3 days/wk for 13wk. Maximum oxygen uptake, systolic blood pressure, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood glucose were measured pre/post intervention, and percent change for each measure was calculated. Based on percent change for each measure, participants were assigned scores (responder: 1, non-responder: 0), and a comprehensive response to training score (scale 0-5) was determined. RESULTS: Training responsiveness as evidenced by the responder composite score was greater (p<0.05) in the personalized treatment group (4.71 ±0.47) when compared to the standardized treatment group (2.86 ±0.66). There were similar (p>0.05) responder composite scores across men and women for both the personalized (men=4.75; women=4.67) and standardized (men=2.75; women=3.00) treatment groups. Training responsiveness was also similar (p>0.05) across age for both treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that personalized exercise training maximizes comprehensive training responsiveness. These preliminary results are promising for exercise physiologists and other health professionals who prescribe exercise for populations at-risk for cardiovascular disease and other chronic conditions.