The Effects of a Six Week Walking Intervention on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and Mental Well Being in East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania Students and Staff

Less than half of the U.S. adults meet the current exercise recommendations for cardiorespiratory exercise. Exercise has been shown to positively impact cardiometabolic risk factors and mental well-being in adults. However, there is currently limited research on the impacts of a walking intervention on cardiometabolic risk factors and mental-wellbeing. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of six-week moderate-intensity walking intervention on cardiometabolic disease risk factors and mental wellbeing in East Stroudsburg University students and staff. The participants were involved in three separate lab sessions to test cardiometabolic risk factors and mental-wellbeing scores. The participants were involved in a six-week walking intervention prescribed at individual moderate heart rate intensities. Results from the study showed that there were no significant changes among all the variables tested. Despite these findings, it is still suggested that adults should obtain 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic exercise per week.