Comparative Effects of Two Physical Conditioning Programs on Cardiovascular Fitness in Man

Abstract

College men (N = 25) were selected and placed into three matched groups on the basis of maximum oxygen consumption. One group participated in a modified army conditioning program of calisthenics and marching (N = 8), while the second group participated in a program of interval training involving running (N = 9). The third group (control) participated in recreational activities (N = 8). The groups met 5 days per week for 7 weeks. Pre- and post-conditioning maximum oxygen consumption and Harvard Step Test indexes were recorded to evaluate differences. The results showed that the interval-trained group improved significantly on the two fitness tests. The army trained group showed no significant improvement in maximum oxygen consumption but did have significant improvement for the Harvard Step Test. The control group did not significantly improve.