Comparison of Physical Activity Regimens as Treatments for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Individuals will complete four days of aerobic exercise of moderate intensity (60% of maximal VO2, approximated from heart rate). Duration of aerobic activity will gradually increase from weeks 1 through 4 until 180 min of aerobic exercise at the prescribed intensity is performed each week. Following aerobic exercise on two days per week, moderate-intensity resistance training will be performed using eight different resistance machines. One set of 8-12 repetitions will be performed during weeks 1-4; from week 5-on, 2 sets of 8-12 repetitions will be performed.

Individuals will perform supervised whole-body flexibility exercises on two days per week. Two sets of each exercise will be performed, with the duration of each stretch gradually increasing from 15 sec to 30 sec. A total of 15-20 stretches, focusing on whole-body flexibility, will be performed.