The ideal balance between aerobic and strength training is a
topic of controversy. As an endurance
athlete, it is often difficult to find the motivation to fit weight lifting
into the schedule. However, especially
for older women (and even for younger ones), there is evidence that such
exercise will strengthen the skeletal system and prevent osteoporosis.
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham
studied 72 women between the ages of 60 and 74 years old. The participants were divided into the
following groups:
A.
1 day per week of aerobic and 1 day/week of
resistance exercise
B.
2 day per week of aerobic and 2 day/week of
resistance exercise
C.
3 day per week of aerobic and 3 day/week of
resistance exercise
Surprisingly, group B appeared to experience the greatest
increase in energy expenditure per day.
However, all three groups became stronger and more aerobically fit in
addition to reducing their fat mass. The
conclusions of this experiment imply that if weight loss is your goal, a
moderate exercise program, with both aerobic and strength training, may be your
best bet!
Read the abstract here.
