Health-promoting effects of physical exercise are well-investigated especially for endurance activities. However, for different individuals, positive effects have different sizes, even non-responders are observed. Other forms of training, such as strength training and interval training, are less well investigated. Therefore, a comparative longitudinal training study is warranted to examine differences of preventive effects (outcome measures: ergometric descriptors of physical performance, established risk factors and prognostic factors for cardiovascular diseases) of continuous endurance training, interval training and strength endurance training.

In a second stage, the observed non-responders will perform a different type of training (cross-over). It is expected, that besides a comparative general efficacy evaluation of the three training types, improved recommendations for optimized individualization of training parameters can be formulated.

Inclusion Criteria:

• untrained
• healthy
• non-smoking

Exclusion Criteria:

• Contraindications for physical activity
• BMI > 30 kg/m2
• resting blood pressure > 160/100 mmHg
• diabetes
• total cholesterol > 300 mg/dl
• maximal oxygen uptake > 50 ml/min/kg for men and > 45 ml/min/kg for women respectively
• other complaints or diseases that might interfere with exercise training