Effects of Supervised Training Compared to Unsupervised Training on Physical Activity, Muscular Endurance, and Cardiovascular Parameters

Abstract

Evidence has suggested that among untrained individuals, supervised exercise interventions may elicit greater health benefits and long-term exercise adherence compared to unsupervised exercise interventions.Purpose: This study focused on determining the effectiveness of a five-month supervised exercise intervention compared to a five-week unsupervised duration at a university worksite for faculty and staff members on physical activity behavior, muscular endurance, and cardiovascular health.Methods: An exercise intervention met three times per week for five months to undergo 60 minutes of structured, group exercise led by fitness professionals.This was followed by 5 weeks of independent exercise.Data collected included physical activity behavior via a validated accelerometer, muscular endurance, and cardiovascular health.Results: Repeated measures ANOVA at three time periods were conducted and post-hoc paired samples t-tests to determine where the main effect occurred.The data indicated that participation in a five-month supervised exercise program resulted in improvements of physical activity behavior (p=0.003) and increased muscular endurance via push-ups (p=0.002) and curl-ups (p<0.001).A five-week unsupervised program resulted in decreased physical activity behavior, decreased muscular endurance back to baseline levels, and increased resting heart rate (p=0.005). Conclusion:This study suggests that supervised exercise programs for previously sedentary individuals are effective in improving overall fitness.While a period of unsupervised exercise may result in less physical activity and decrease in muscular endurance and cardiovascular health.