Mean changes in primary and secondary outcome variables in the STEPS and control groups at 12 months
| VARIABLES | STEPS (N = 169*) MEAN CHANGE (95% CI) | CONTROL (N = 160†) MEAN CHANGE (95% CI) | DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GROUPS IN MEAN CHANGE (95% CI) | PVALUE FOR THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GROUPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| pVO2max, mL/kg/min | 3.02 (2.40 to 3.65) | 2.21 (1.27 to 3.15) | 0.81 (−0.29 to 1.91) | .147 |
| HRmax, beats/min | 8.27 (5.70 to 10.84) | 4.22 (0.91 to 7.54) | 4.05 (−0.09 to 8.18) | .055 |
| Stepping time, s | −19.05 (−21.35 to −16.74) | −10.77 (−14.20 to −7.35) | −8.28 (−12.32 to −4.24) | < .001 |
| RPE, Borg score | 0.93 (0.61 to 1.25) | 0.50 (0.18 to 0.82) | 0.43 (−0.02 to 0.88) | .061 |
| BMI, kg/m2 | 0.13 (−0.08 to 0.35) | −0.17 (−0.46 to 0.12) | 0.30 (−0.05 to 0.66) | .095 |
| HRrest, beats/min | 1.23 (−0.15 to 2.61) | 1.70 (0.18 to 3.23) | −0.47 (−2.52 to 1.57) | .648 |
| SBPrest, mm Hg | −4.13 (−6.39 to −1.86) | −0.38 (−2.98 to 2.22) | −3.75 (−7.17 to −0.32) | .032 |
| DBPrest, mm Hg | −1.93 (−3.22 to −0.63) | −1.67 (−3.23 to −0.10) | −0.26 (−2.27 to 1.76) | .801 |
| EE, kcal/kg/d | 0.67 (0.43 to 0.91) | 0.25 (0.07 to 0.42) | 0.42 (0.12 to 0.72) | .006 |
BMI—body mass index, CI—confidence interval, DBPrest—resting diastolic blood pressure, EE—energy expenditure, HRmax—maximum heart rate, HRrest—resting heart rate, pVO2max—predicted maximal oxygen consumption, RPE—rate of perceived exertion, SBPrest—resting systolic blood pressure.
↵* In the STEPS group, 23 of the original 193 patients withdrew, and 1 died of causes not related to the study.
↵† In the control group, 6 of the original 167 patients withdrew, and 1 died of causes not related to the study.