Published Paper Details:

Background: Overweight individuals often experience reduced endurance, which can negatively affect daily functioning and overall health. Exercise interventions such as treadmill walking and cycle ergometer training are commonly prescribed to improve endurance. However, limited evidence exists comparing their relative effectiveness in overweight adults. Objective: To compare the impact of treadmill and cycle ergometer exercise on endurance among overweight individuals. Methods: A comparative study was conducted using a convenient sampling method to evaluate the effects of treadmill and cycle ergometer training on endurance in overweight individuals. Thirty participants (Body Mass Index 25-29.9) aged 20-40 years were recruited and allocated into two groups: Group A (treadmill training) and Group B (cycle ergometer training). The study was carried out at Cure 'N' Care Physiotherapy and Fitness Centre, Ayanavaram, Chennai, where participants underwent a 3-week intervention. Endurance was assessed pre- and post-intervention using the Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT). Individuals with cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, metabolic, or lifestyle-related risk factors were excluded from the study. Results: Statistical analysis revealed that the post-test mean 6MWT distance was 420 meters for Group A and 385 meters for Group B. The mean difference of 35 meters was statistically significant, with a p-value of 0.021 (p < 0.05). This indicates that treadmill training resulted in greater improvement in endurance compared to cycle ergometer training. Conclusion: Both treadmill and cycle ergometer exercises enhanced endurance in overweight individuals. However, treadmill training was found to be significantly more effective than cycle ergometer training. These findings suggest that treadmill-based exercise may be the preferred intervention for improving endurance in overweight adults.