Comparison of the Effect of 8 Weeks of Continuous, Intermittent Training on Maximum Oxygen Consumption, Muscle Endurance and General Health of Overweight Seventh Grade Male Students

Background and Objectives: Interval training, in various forms, is one of the most effective tools today to improve cardiorespiratory and metabolic function and in turn improve physical function. The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of 8 weeks of continuous, intermittent exercise on maximum oxygen consumption, muscle endurance and general health of overweight seventh grade male students. Materials and Methods: For this purpose, 60 overweight male students with body mass index of 21.9 to 26.8 were selected and randomly divided into three groups of continuous, interval and control exercisean groups. The training protocol was performed for 8 weeks for each group for a duration of 20 to 30 minutes. Maximum oxygen consumption, muscle endurance (based on swimming tests, burp, squat, jump, ...) and general health using the general health questionnaire were measured before and after the last training session. Data analysis was performed using Dependent t-test and analysis of variance. Results: The results of the study indicate a significant increase in maximal oxygen consumption, muscle endurance and improvement of general health of subjects (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: The effect of periodic exercise on maximal oxygen consumption and some general health indicators was greater, but there was no significant difference between the two experimental groups in terms of muscle endurance.