Effects of intensity and frequency of training on aerobic work capacity of young females

The purpose of this study was to determine the relative importance of training intensity and frequency in endurance training on the development of maximal aerobic power in young females. 40 females aged 18 to 20 yr were divided into 4 groups as follows: Group I trained at 80% vO₂max, 4 days per week; Group II at 80% vO₂max, 2 days per week; Group III at 60% vO₂max, 4 days per week; Group IV at 60% vO₂max 2 days per week. Following 8 weeks of training for 10 minutes per day on a cycle ergometer, significant increases were found in vO₂max for all groups. Significant differences among groups in the change of vO₂max were found for the factor of intensity. Significant decreases in heart rates at 2 submaximal work loads (300 and 450 kpm/min) were found in all groups, whereby the 2 groups with the higher training frequencies showed a significantly greater decrease in exercise heart rate than the other groups.