ABSTRACTKRAEMER, W. J., M. KEUNING,

ABSTRACT
KRAEMER, W. J., M. KEUNING, N. A. RATAMESS, J. S. VOLEK, M. MCCORMICK, J. A. BUSH, B. C. NINDL, S. E. GORDON, S. A. MAZZETTI, R. U. NEWTON, A. L. GÓMEZ, R. B. WICKHAM, M. R. RUBIN, and K. HÄKKINEN. Resistance training combined with bench-step aerobics enhances women’s health profile. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 33, No. 2, pp. 259–269, 2001. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the comprehensive physiological alterations that take place during the combination of bench-step aerobics (BSA) and resistance exercise training. Methods: Thirty-five healthy, active women were randomly assigned to one of four groups that either a) performed 25 min of BSA only (SA25); b) performed a combination of 25 min of BSA and a multiple-set upper and lower body resistance exercise program (SAR); c) performed 40 min of BSA only (SA40); or d) served as a control group (C), only performing activities of daily living. Direct assessments for body composition, aerobic fitness, muscular strength, endurance, power, and cross-sectional area were performed 1 wk before and after 12 wk of training. Results: All training groups significantly improved peak V ̇ O2 (3.7 to 5.3 mL O2·kg-1·min-1), with the greatest improvement observed in the SAR group (P