Exercise Protocol, Body Composition and Insulin Sensitivity
The three exercise groups trained for 6 months, 3–4 sessions per week, at an intensity meeting
50% of the heart rate achieved at VO2peak. All exercise sessions were closely supervised in an
exercise training laboratory, with mean minutes per week spent on cycle ergometers or
treadmill being 72.2 (12.3), 135.8 (19.5) and 191.7 (33.7) for the 50%, 100% and 150% exercise
groups respectively. CRF (VO2peak) was determined at baseline and at follow-up through cycle
ergometry (Lode Excalibur Sport; Groningen, Netherlands), with oxygen consumption and
carbon dioxide production measured every 15s (Parvomedics True Max 2400 Metabolic
Measurement Cart); and heart rate was obtained from electrocardiograph measurements.
Anthropometric measurements provided proxy measures of adiposity; the Homeostasis Model
Assessment (HOMA) was used to provide a measure of insulin sensitivity; and pedometers
(Accusplit Eagle, Japan) were used to document the steps accrued per day outside the
supervised physical activity sessions.