Metabolic and Cardiovascular Responses during Group Suspension Training

Introduction Suspension Training (ST) is a recent form of bodyweight resistance training. ST produced higher muscle activations with respect to traditional exercises secondary to muscle activity used to maintain body stability and balance (McGill et al, 2014; Snarr et al, 2014) and a single training session could be used to improve core stability, strength, flexibility and endurance (Dudgeon et al, 2015). At present, no information is available on ST energy cost during group sessions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate metabolic and cardiovascular responses during group ST. Methods After signing their informed consent of participation, 18 college students (11 male, 7 female; Age: 26.2±4.5years; Height: 168.2±9.3cm; Weight: 68.5±12.7Kg; BMI: 24.0±2.5) novel ST practitioners volunteered for the study. After a familiarization period, Heart Rate (HR) and Oxygen Consumption (VO2) were continuously recorded by portable metabolic system (Cosmed K4b2) during 18 different training sessions (Duration: 42.5±7.3min). Energy expenditure was expressed as Metabolic Equivalents Task (MET). Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to evaluate gender-related differences (p<0.05). Results Although no difference in HR emerged for gender (Males=68.3±6.9 %HRmax, Females=70.7±5.1 %HRmax), differences emerged for VO2 (Males=17.9±2.6 ml/Kg/min, Females=15.2±2.6 ml/Kg/min, p<0.0474; Males=1.32±0.16 l/min, Females=0.88±0.13 l/min, p<0.0001) and MET (Males=5.1±0.8, Females=4.3±0.7, p=0.0474). Discussion According to ACSM guidelines (2014), findings suggest that ST could be classified as a moderate-to-vigorous intensity exercise. Furthermore, ST could be used to increase energy expenditure (about 250 Kcal for males and 200 Kcal for females) and to improve cardiovascular efficiency. However, further research is needed to evaluate the effects of ST protocols on metabolic and cardiovascular capacities. References ACSM 2014, Guidelines for Exercise testing and prescription. 9th Ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Dudgeon WD et al, (2015). International Journal of Sports Science, 5(2): 65-72. McGill SM et al, (2014). Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 28: 105-116. Snarr RL et al, (2014). Journal of Sport and Human Performance, 2: 1-8.