An Interventional Study to Assess the Effect of Aerobic Training on Physiological Cost Index in Normal Individuals at a Tertiary Care Hospital, Mumbai

Background: It is difficult to calculate oxygen consumption clinically due to expensive equipments required to measure it. Physiological cost index is one the indirect ways of calculate energy expenditure.

Aim: To study the effect of aerobic training program on the physiological cost index (PCI) in normal healthy individuals.

Study Design: This was an intervention based study conducted on 20 students of K.J.Somaiya college of physiotherapy, Mumbai.DURATION: 4 weeks.

Study Procedure: A sub maximal 6 minute walk test was performed and the distance walked, walking speed and vitals were recorded pre training and post training. The physiological cost index for each subject was calculated. All the 20 subjects underwent an aerobic training program in the form of aerobic cycling. Training was imparted 3 times a week, for 4 consecutive weeks.

Statistical Analysis: Paired't' test was used to analyse the data.

Results: The average PCI value in normal healthy individuals, reduced from 0.37 beats/min to 0.30 beats/min, after 4 weeks of aerobic training, which was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). the average values of the difference in heart rates reduced from 34.1 beats/min to 28.1 beats/min. post 4 weeks of aerobic training, which was also found to be statistically significant (p value=0.05). The average value of difference in speed increased from 92.58 mts/min to 93.98 mts/min after 4 weeks of aerobic training, which was found to be statistically insignificant

Conclusion: There is significant reduction in physiological cost index after 4 weeks of aerobic training in normal healthy individuals.