Health benefits of differing types of exercise in a Pacific community

INTERVENTION: This trial has 3 arms. Following baseline testing, participants will be randomly allocated to 1 of 3 groups, 2 intervention and 1 control group. The 2 exercise (intervention) groups will involve participants completing 3 weekly 40 minute training sessions over a 4 week period. The exercise intensity will be controlled and training sessions will be supervised by trained exercise science students and overseen by an exercise physiologist. Details of the groups are as follows: Intervention group 1‐ gym based exercise including aerobic training (walking, jogging, cycling and indoor rowing) and resistance training (lifting weights) Intervention group 2‐ small sided games training (e.g. modified team sports activities such as Touch rugby, Tag and various football codes). Control group‐ no exercise (will be offered 4 weeks gym membership at the end of the trial) CONDITION: Preventative Health Strategies in Pacific Health PRIMARY OUTCOME: cardiovascular fitness as assessed by changes in maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) Leg strength assessed by maximal concentric force of the quadriceps and hamstring muscle groups measured at 60 degrees/sec, using biodex measuring equipment. SECONDARY OUTCOME: Fasting glucose and glycated haemoglobin Inflammatory markers measured by C‐reactive protein (CRP) Lipid profile (total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides, high‐density lipoprotein (HDL)) Psychological well‐being (assessed by subjective exercise experiences scale) Systolic and diastolic blood pressure INCLUSION CRITERIA: Age 20‐45 years. Pacific ethnicity. Participating in fewer than 2 formal exercise sessions per week