Author and graduation date: Bryan TEEL, May, 2000

Committee members: Jeanne F. Nichols (Chair), Michael J. Buono, Colleen Kelly

Thesis title: Cardiovascular and Body Composition Training Adaptations to a 12-Week Studio Cycling Program

This study examined cardiovascular and body composition adaptations to a progressive 12-week studio cycling program. Twenty-five healthy male and female students, aged 19-43 yr., were assigned to either a treatment (n = 17) or a control group (n = 8). The treatment group participated twice weekly for 12 weeks in structured 45-minute studio cycling classes led by certified, instructors. V02max (on a cycle ergometer), ventilatory threshold (Tvent), a subjective measure of the highest sustainable intensity of exercise (VT), and body composition by hydrodensitometry were measured At baseline and following 12 weeks of training. Group by time repeated measures ANOVA showed a significant improvement in the treatment group compared to the control group for V02max (p = .039; treatment: pre 3.37 + 1.00 L/min, post 3.59 + .90 L/min; control: pre 3.57 + .93 L/min, post 3.59 + .92 L/min). Tvent (L/min) also significantly improved in the treatment group compared to the control group (p = .033; treatment: pre 2.04 + 0.71 L/min, post 2.65 + 0.76 L/min; control: pre 2.09 + 0.61 L/min, post 2.25 + 0.73 L/min). Tvent as a percent of V02max, VT, percent body fat, and lean body mass showed no significant changes. These results indicate that participating in a studio cycling program is an effective way of improving aerobic capacity and ventilatory threshold.

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