Do overweight and obese individuals select a "moderate intensity" workload when asked to do so?

The purpose of this study was (1) to determine if overweight/obese individuals (age 26-50 y) would self-select moderate exercise intensity when asked to do so and (2) to determine how this self-selected workload compared to exercising at a workload (60% peak aerobic capacity) that is known to provide cardioprotective health benefits. Oxygen consumption (VO(2)) and energy expenditure were measured in 33 men/women (BMI ≥ 27 kg/m(2)) who completed two 30 min walking bouts: (1) self-selected walking pace on an indoor track and (2) prescribed exercise pace (60% VO(2) peak) on a treadmill. The data revealed that (1) the prescribed intensity was 6% higher than the self-selected pace and elicited a higher energy expenditure (P < 0.05) than the self-selected pace (+83 kJ); (2) overweight subjects walked at a slightly lower percentage of VO(2) peak than the obese subjects (P < 0.05); (3) men walked at a lower percentage of VO(2) peak than the women (P < 0.05). In conclusion when asked to walk at a moderate intensity, overweight/obese individuals tended to select a lower workload in the "moderate intensity" range which could be maintained for 30 min; however, a higher intensity which would be more cardioprotective could not be maintained for 30 min by most individuals.

1. Introduction

Studies have shown that 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise can confer health benefits if performed on most days of the week (5 days/wk) [1, 2]. These benefits include weight maintenance, weight loss [3], cardiovascular risk management [4, 5], and the avoidance of metabolic dysfunction such as type 2 diabetes [6]. Further, more than 30 min of physical activity a day are necessary for formerly obese individuals to maintain weight loss [7]. Success in obtaining improvements in these health outcomes often occurs because the exercise regimen is carefully controlled in a supervised setting where specific directions are provided [7-9].

As the population has become more obese, numerous guidelines have been established to help the lay public understand the amount of activity that should be incorporated into their lifestyle. For example, the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans states that people should participate in “150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week” (p. vi), which would be approximately 30 minutes of fast walking five days a week [2, 10]. Sedentary individuals, however, may misinterpret the term moderate intensity activity, and their efforts to increase their physical activity levels may result in insufficient workloads for cardioprotection, glucose control, and weight loss and maintenance. Previous research concerned with self-selected exercise pace has used descriptors such as “walk briskly” or “preferred pace” [11-14] but have not examined the pace selected when subjects are told to walk at a “moderate intensity”. Yet, “moderate intensity” is the terminology of the physical activity guidelines.

Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the workload sedentary overweight and obese individuals would self-select when asked to walk at a “moderate intensity”. Since exercise at intensities greater than 60% peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak) is associated with more health benefits [15], we compared the self-selected pace to a prescribed pace (60% VO2 peak). We selected this workload because it was at the low end of the vigorous exercise range, is known to confer health benefits beyond just weight loss, and we anticipated that this intensity would be tolerable by our sedentary participants [16]. We examined the potential differences in heart rate (HR), ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), and energy expenditure at the prescribed versus self-selected “moderate intensity” exercise. Further, we determined if there was a relationship between the self-selected exercise intensity and adiposity or aerobic fitness. We hypothesized that most individuals would self-select a workload at the low end of the moderate intensity exercise pace, when required to walk for 30 min. We further hypothesized that this workload would result in a lower energy expenditure and lower RPE than when the exercise was at an exercise intensity know to confer health benefits.

2. Methods

2.1. Subjects

Thirty-three overweight and obese individuals (age 30–50 y) were recruited. Inclusion criteria for the study were a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25 kg/m2, nondiabetic status, not on β-blockers, no known cardiovascular disease, no metabolic disorders, no orthopedic limitations and currently not participating in a regular exercise program or coached/guided physical training. All subjects were initially screened by a detailed medical history questionnaire before consideration for the study. All participants were required to complete an informed consent document, approved by the University Institutional Review Board. This study meets the ethical standards of the journal [17].

2.2. Experimental Design

All subjects completed 3 visits which included an exercise stress test, a 30 min submaximal walk at a self-selected moderate intensity pace and a 30 min submaximal walk at a 60% of VO2 peak (prescribed pace). This workload was selected because it is at the low end of the vigorous exercise intensity workload and is known to provide cardioprotective benefits [15]. The submaximal visits were not presented in a randomized fashion because of the potential for learning the ideal walking intensity during the prescribed exercise intensity condition. These visits were a minimum of 72 h apart and no longer than 2 weeks apart.

2.3. Exercise Stress Test

Each subject walked on a Quinton Treadmill (Bothell, Washington), and a modified walking protocol was utilized that started at 2.5 mph and 0% grade [18]. Briefly, an increasing workload was administered by initially increasing speed in increments of 0.5 mph per stage until 3.5 mph was achieved. Thereafter, increases in grade of 2.5% per stage were administered until volitional fatigue [19]. At the end of each stage, a rating of perceived exertion (RPE) on a scale of 6–20 was collected from the subject [20]. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) guidelines were followed to establish if a physician needed to be present [21]. During exercise, expired gases were collected and analyzed for volume, O2 and CO2 content using a Cosmed Quark b4 Metabolic Analyzer (Rome, Italy) that was calibrated prior to each test. Oxygen consumed (VO2) and CO2 produced (VCO2) were calculated. Heart rate (HR) was collected continuously with a Polar Heart Rate Monitor (Polar Electro, Lake Success, NY) throughout the study. Criteria for a successful test were matched in accordance with the ACSM [22].

2.4. Body Composition

Body composition was assessed using air-displacement plethysmography (Life Measurement, Inc. Concorde, CA) and the test was administered according to the manufacture's guidelines. Height and weight were measured without shoes on prior to testing using a Healthometer (Sunbeam Products Inc, Boca Raton, FL). Body mass index was calculated as weight (kg)/height (m2). Subjects were asked to wear the same clothing on each visit.

2.5. Self-Selected Submaximal Exercise Test

During the second visit, subjects were instructed to walk at a “moderate intensity” around an indoor track for thirty minutes. Subjects self-selected the pace they wanted to utilize for the 30 minutes of exercise and received encouragement to keep walking but were given no further directions than to walk at a “moderate intensity”. We calculated the distance travelled on the track to determine walking speed. Subjects were not given feedback on their walking speed. Time per lap was monitored with a stopwatch (Timex Ironman Marathon Stopwatch, Timex, N. Little Rock, AR). Speed varied somewhat in a given lap, but there were no significant differences in the lap times documented during the walk for each lap (data not shown). In addition, no significant change in VO2 was observed between laps. During this test, the subject donned a harness that carried the K4 Cosmed portable metabolic analyzer (Rome, Italy) which was calibrated before each test. HR was measured continuously using Polar Heart Rate technology. Ratings of perceived exertion were collected every five minutes of exercise. At the end of thirty minutes, total distance covered was measured in order to calculate average speed.

2.6. Prescribed Exercise at 60% VO2 Peak

The subjects walked on a treadmill for 30 minutes at ~60% VO2 peak. The exercising pace was selected based on the performance on the VO2 peak test from the first visit. Wearing the same K4 apparatus as the track visit, the subject walked on a Quinton Treadmill while expired gases were collected. Heart rate was measured continuously, and again RPE was ascertained at the end of every five minutes.

2.7. Data Analysis

The breath by breath VO2 data were averaged into 15 second intervals. The VO2 peak was considered the highest value achieved at the end of the test while meeting all other ACSM guidelines for a successful stress test [22]. The calculated VO2 from the track and treadmill evaluations was averaged into one-minute intervals and from these data energy expenditure per minute was calculated [23-26], as well as per kg fat free mass (FFM). Total expenditure for the duration of exercise of both visits was then calculated as the sum of the one-minute averages. Both total kJ and steady state values are presented. Steady state values were used for the calculation of average VO2 and HR responses to exercise in order to accurately represent level of workload accomplished. Also from the VO2 data the MET level was calculated with 3.5 mL/kg/min equaling 1 MET [22].

2.8. Statistical Analysis

The data were tested for normality using the Shapiro-Wilk test of normality. A paired t-test was performed to compare variables from the track and treadmill visit. When comparing for gender differences, a 2 (male versus female) X treatment (self-selected versus prescribed) ANOVA with repeated measures or 2 (obese versus overweight) X treatment (self-selected versus prescribed) ANOVA with repeated measures was employed. Using the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) for Windows (Chicago, IL ver. 17), all variables were expressed as mean ± standard error. A Pearson correlation was used to determine the relationship between the differences in energy expenditure and other measured variables, as well as between walking speed and descriptive subject variables. Those descriptive variables that were positively associated with walking speed were put into a linear regression analysis using the enter method to find the best predictor of walking speed. This method allows the entry of variables into the analysis and allows the program to select the order of entering the variable into the model. Significance was accepted at a preset alpha = 0.05.

3. Results

Thirty-three subjects volunteered for this study, 24 females and 9 males. The BMI ranged from 27–40 kg/m2, and of the 33 subjects 21 subjects were obese and 12 were overweight (Table 1). The men and women were similar in age (~42.5 y) but the men were significantly (P < 0.05) heavier, taller, and had a greater percent body fat. The men were slightly more fit (P < 0.05) than the women.

Table 1

Descriptive characteristics of the subject separated by gender.

	Females (n = 24)	Males (n = 9)
	(16 obese/8 overweight)	(5 obese/4 overweight)
Age (yr)	41.7 ± 1.5	43.3 ± 2.2
	(26–50)	(30–50)
Height (cm)	164.5 ± 1.2	180.7 ± 1.7*
	(153–175)	(173–191)
Weight (kg)	89.2 ± 2.9	101.6 ± 5.6*
	(69–123)	80–137)
Body mass index (kg/m2)	33.1 ± 1.1	31.1 ± 1.3
	(27–48)	(27–40)
% body fat	35.6 ± 2.0	26.3 ± 2.3*
	(27–48)	(20–48)
VO2 peak (mL/kg/min)	27.0 ± 1.2	37.3 ± 2.4*
	(18–42)	(27–45)

*P < 0.05 between genders. Mean ± standard error (range of values).

Total energy expenditure for the prescribed walking was significantly greater than the energy expenditure for self-selected walking pace (955.7 ± 39.2 kJ versus 872.7 ± 39.9 kJ, P < 0.01, resp.), resulting in 83 KJ more being expended at the prescribed pace than in the self-selected pace. The men had a greater energy expenditure than the women (self-selected: males 1057.7 ± 51.0 kJ and females 803.4 kJ ± 26.4 kJ-prescribed: males 1218.6 ± 35.1 kJ and females 857.1 ± 22.3 kJ, P < 0.01), and there were no differences in total energy expenditure between the obese and overweight subjects. Adjusting the data for fat free mass did not alter the findings, and the prescribed walking pace (10.4 ± 0.3 kJ/kg FFM/min) elicited a higher rate of energy expenditure than the self-selected pace (9.4 ± 0.3 kJ/kg FFM/min, P < 0.05; Figure 1). However, men had a higher energy expenditure (kJ/kg FFM/min) than the women (P < 0.01), and the overweight subjects had a slightly higher energy expenditure than the obese subjects (P < 0.05).

Figure 1

The rate of energy expenditure (a) and percent peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak) (b) for the self-selected walking pace and the prescribed walking pace for 33 overweight subjects during 30 minutes of exercise. *P < 0.05 between the self-selected and prescribed pace; †P < 0.05 between obese and overweight subjects; ‡P < 0.01 between men and women.

Self-selected exercise resulted in a workload of 52% of VO2 peak versus 58% of VO2 peak for the prescribed exercise (P < 0.05). The mean prescribed %VO2 is lower than we had targeted as many of the subjects could not complete 30 min of exercise at ~60% VO2 peak. The overweight subjects walked at a lower percentage of VO2 peak than the obese subjects (P < 0.05), regardless if the exercise pace were self-selected or prescribed. The %HR max for the 30 min of prescribed and self-selected walking were not significantly different (self-selected: 75.1 ± 11.2 b/min; prescribed: 75.5 ± 7.9, Table 2). Mean RPE values for the prescribed walking was slightly greater than for the self-selected walking pace (self-selected: mean 11.3 ± 0.2, range 8–13 versus prescribed: mean 12.5 ± 0.3, range 11–15, Table 2); no sex differences were observed. Converting the work intensity to METs revealed no differences until 15 minutes of exercise where the MET levels significantly increased and the self-selected intensity was less than the prescribed intensity, and remained lower through the remaining 30 minutes (self-selected 4.2 ± 0.2, prescribed 4.9 ± 0.2 METs, P < 0.01).

Table 2

Ratings of perceived exertion and % max heart rate for the self-selected and prescribed walking pace for both the males and females.

Variable		Female	Males	Total
RPE	Self-selected	11.7 ± 0.2	10.1 ± 0.3	11.3 ± 0.2
	Prescribed pace	12.6 ± 0.4**	12.2 ± 0.4**	12.5 ± 0.3
% max HR	Self-selected	78.0 ± 1.9	67.9 ± 1.9	75.1 ± 2.0
	Prescribed pace	77.4 ± 1.4	70.5 ± 1.4	75.5 ± 1.4

Mean ± SE. *P < 0.05 between testing days, **P < 0.001 between testing days.

An association was found between the difference in energy expended between the prescribed and self-selected walking and VO2 peak (r = 0.53, P < 0.01, Figure 2(a)), and adjusting for sex did not alter this finding. The best predictor of the self-selected walking speed in this cohort of subjects was fat mass which explained 32% of the variability (β coefficient = −0.564, R2 = 0.32, P < 0.001, Figure 2(b)). Fitness, age, height, and sex were not significant predictors of walking speed in this cohort of subjects.

Figure 2

(a) The association between VO2 peak and the difference in energy expended between the prescribed and self-selected walking pace and (b) the association between self-selected walking speed and fat mass. ⚪ Women, ⚫ Men.

4. Discussion

Although the current physical activity recommendation for health is to accumulate at least 30 min of moderate intensity physical activity daily, the interpretation of moderate can vary considerably between individuals. A misconception of the term “moderate” may potentially result in the selected physical activity workload not being in an appropriate intensity range to be cardioprotective. The present study revealed the following: (1) the self-selected pace (52% VO2 peak) was in the range that is defined as moderate (40–59% VO2 peak), (2) the HR response was similar between experimental conditions yet, (3) RPE was greater in the prescribed bout than when the exercise was self-selected, and (4) a lower energy expenditure occurred with the self-selected workload than with the prescribed workload. These findings indicate that when participants are allowed to self-select exercise intensity, the workload would meet the ACSM standards and potentially would be effective in increasing cardiorespiratory fitness; however, the workload may not be adequate to provide other health benefits [27].

Our subjects were able to select a workload in the range of moderate intensity when asked; however, when the subjects were asked to increase the workload slightly to the high end of the moderate intensity range (~58% of VO2 peak), 68% of the subjects could not complete our prescribed workload, and the workload had to be reduced after 15–20 min of exercise. In addition, this reduction in workload may have resulted in slightly smaller differences in energy expenditure between the self-selected and prescribed pace. Further the obese individuals worked at a higher %VO2 peak than the overweight subjects, in agreement with findings by Mattsson et al. [14]. Possibly, obese individuals receive more information on the appropriate exercise pace or possibly they have a smaller VO2 reserve than an overweight individual thus working at a higher percentage of their aerobic capacity.

The inability to complete 30 min at the higher intensity parallels the findings of Ekkekakis and Lind [28] who noted that imposing a speed that is just 10% higher than what overweight women self-selected led to a decline in reported pleasure and decreased affective responses. This may explain why studies in controlled settings obtain more dramatic effects on health variables [29, 30] than when subjects participate in unsupervised exercise. Moreover, other studies have shown that subjects told to exercise at a “brisk pace” and not at their “preferred pace” the exercise intensity increased to levels well above the minimum of the recommended range [11, 12]. Hence, this provides further evidence that the descriptor used in the physical activity recommendation must be carefully considered.

Although there was no difference in the exercise HR between the self-selected and prescribed trial, RPE increased with the prescribed workload, indicating cardiophysiological tolerance but increased perception of the workload [31]. This finding highlights that there may be a mismatch between perceived-exertion and physiological responses of Borg's model of effort continua in sedentary obese individuals. More specifically, a higher intensity of exercise is less pleasurable and enjoyable, thus perceived as greater exertion. Lind et al. [13] have shown that declines in affective valence and consistent ratings of perceived exertion are found when subjects are at an exercise intensity that exceeds the transition across the lactate threshold. We did not measure the lactate threshold in the present study, but a workload at 60% VO2 peak most likely would have been at or above their lactate threshold, based on other studies in sedentary individuals [32]. An RPE of 13 is considered to be approximately the lactate threshold [33] so our subjects as well as those subjects from the other studies kept their self-selected paces below the lactate threshold. Further it was also observed that as subject fitness increased, as represented by VO2 peak, there was an increase in the difference in energy expended between walking trials (Figure 2).

The workload selected in the moderate range may reduce CHD risk factors or all-cause mortality, but this workload may be inadequate for weight loss or to improve other health outcomes. From a meta-analysis conducted by Swain and Franklin [15] greater cardioprotective benefits were obtained with an increase in either the relative or absolute intensity of exercise. In fact, a faster walking speed was associated with a reduced CHD risk, independent of the total energy expenditure [15, 34]. One study found that only physical activities at intensities >4.5 METs were associated with a decreased incidence of hypertension and reduced all-cause mortality [35]. Our self-selected pace was below this MET value while the prescribed pace was above this value. Additionally more favorable risk profiles occur with vigorous activity compared to moderate-intensity physical activity. Swain and Franklin [15] reported that 3 studies indicated that groups exercising at the highest intensity (65–75% of VO2 max) experienced a decrease in diastolic blood pressure, but the group that exercised at lower intensities (45–57% VO2 max) did not. Likewise improvements in glucose control and insulin sensitivity only occurred at vigorous intensities (65–70% VO2 max) but not at moderate intensities (40–55% VO2 max). In general, greater relative intensities result in greater improvements in aerobic fitness and selected CHD risk factors. Other epidemiologic studies have shown that each 1-MET increases in exercise capacity confers an 8–17% reduction in cardiovascular and all-cause mortality [15, 36, 37]. A review of the literature has shown that in low-fit subjects a minimal intensity of 30% VO2 reserve is needed, while in high-fit subjects exercise above 40% VO2 reserve is needed to improve cardiovascular fitness [27]. In the present study only the prescribed workload was adequate to provide some of these health benefits and still many subjects could not complete this workload; this agrees with previous research [31].

In the self-selected walking pace, our subjects walked at a lower perceived exertion (~11) than when the exercise was prescribed. This RPE was slightly higher than that reported by Pintar et al. [38], who noted that both normal weight and overweight women (~20 yr old) selected a preferred walking intensity that resulted in the selection of a similar RPE (~10) for a 15 minute trial. The women had a slightly higher RPE for the task than men, and more closely obtained the desirable exercise intensity. Mattsson et al. [14] reported that normal weight subjects use about 36% VO2 max when walking at a self-selected comfortable pace. Similarly Huebschmann et al. [39] reported that during cycle ergometer exercise that individuals with type 2 diabetes perceived the work to be more difficult (higher RPE) than obese individuals, even when adjusted for the relative work intensity. The higher self-selected RPE in our study may be because the self-selected pace on the track was their first testing day and the subjects may have been slightly anxious. In contrast to our finding, Dasilva et al. reported a higher perceived exertion and a less positive affective valence in treadmill walking than during over ground walking [40].

The best predictor of walking speed in the present study was fat mass which explained 32% of the variability in self-selected speed; fitness did not significantly explain the variability in walking speed. These data support an inverse relationship between adiposity and self-selected walking speed and suggested that obese individuals may choose lower walking speed in their daily exercise regimens as compared to lean individuals. Pintar [38] reported that fitness but not body weight influenced preferred exercise intensity. Discrepancies in these findings are most likely due to the fact that they used college-aged women, while our subject pool was more middle-aged and both men and women were included. Furthermore, it is well established in the literature that the addition of nonmetabolically active weight increases energy expenditure proportional to the weight [41]. Thus individuals carrying more body fat would most likely perceive the exercise to be more difficult.

A potential limitation of the present study is that visits two and three could not be randomized due to the learning effect that the prescribed exercise visit may have had on the self-selected walking pace. By allowing our subjects to walk on a track, this enabled the subject to have normal variance in speed and be blinded to pace by walking on the track during the second visit. All visits were separated by at least three days to avoid the influence of fatigue and muscle soreness; no subject was tested a second time if they still had muscle soreness following the first study day. There is also the possible confounding factor that the self-selected pace was measured on a track, while the prescribed pace was on the treadmill. We have previously shown that energy expenditure does not differ when walking on the track or treadmill at similar speeds [42]; however other investigators have found a higher metabolic cost of treadmill walking [40, 43] and a higher perceived exercise and a less positive affective valence [40].

In this paper we have only cited the ACSM and AHA guidelines of “150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic activity every week” (p. vi), which would equal 30 minutes of walking five days a week. However, it should be acknowledged that there are other guidelines that have been published (e.g., the Institute of Medicine, World Health Organization, USDA, etc.) that recommend for the prevention of weight gain at least 60 min of moderate physical activity daily is needed and for weight loss/weight maintenance this may need to be as high as 60–90 min daily [7]. Individuals wishing to lose weight may have difficulty not only completing 30 minutes of exercise but also completing longer durations which have been shown to be necessary for successful weight loss [7]. Further it should be noted that although we collected the data as one exercise bout for 30 minutes, there has been considerable research that has indicated that the 30 minutes (or 60 minutes) can be accumulated using multiple short bouts of exercise [44], which may be a more efficient strategy for individuals who are incorporating higher intensity physical activity into their day or need to put in 60–90 minutes/day.

According to the recommendations from ACSM and the American Heart Association, individuals should participate in at least 150 minutes a week of moderate intensity cardiovascular exercise or 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity. Previous literature has indicated that more vigorous exercise is needed for many of the health-related benefits. Despite “moderate exercise” being a nebulous term, which can be widely interpreted, these preliminary data show that subjects self-selected a workload in the middle of the moderate range, but less than the workload (>60% VO2 peak-high end of the moderate intensity range) that may be necessary to confer health benefits beyond just weight loss [15]. Yet many individuals cannot maintain that workload for 30 minutes. This finding potentially has broad implications to practitioners in giving physical activity recommendations, as workload recommendations at the high end of the moderate range may result in a decreased in adherence. Further men and overweight subjects tended to select lower workloads when asked to exercise at a moderate pace.