Cardiorespiratory Responses to Exercise Training in Septuagenarian Women

B. J. Warren; D. C. Nieman; R. G. Dotson; C. H. Adkins; K. A. O'Donnell; B. L. Haddock; D. E. Butterworth

doi:10.1055/s-2007-1021147

International Journal of Sports Medicine, Table of Contents

Int J Sports Med 1993; 14(2): 60-65
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1021147

Training and Testing

Cardiorespiratory Responses to Exercise Training in Septuagenarian Women

B. J. Warren¹ , D. C. Nieman¹ , R. G. Dotson¹ , C. H. Adkins¹ , K. A. O'Donnell¹ , B. L. Haddock² , D. E. Butterworth¹

¹Human Performance Laboratory, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC 28608
²Human Performance Laboratory, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350

Abstract

Cardiorespiratory responses to a 12 wk moderate exercise training program were examined in 30 sedentary elderly women (x̄ age = 73.6±0.7 yr). In addition, 12 highly conditioned (HC) older women (x̄ age = 72.5 ±1.8 yr; 11.2±1.2yr training; 1.6±0.2hr·d^-1 aerobic activity) were tested at baseline for cross-sectional comparisons. The V̇O₂max and V̇Emax of the HC subjects were 67% and 36% higher, respectively, (p < 0.001) than the combined sedentary subjects at baseline. Sedentary subjects were randomly assigned to a walking (WALK) or calisthenics control (CAL) group. The WALK group exercised 5 d · wk^-1 for 30-40 min per session at 60.0±1.9% heart rate reserve while the CAL group engaged in mild musculoskeletal exercise. The WALK group demonstrated significant improvement in V̇O₂max compared to CAL subjects at 12 wk (12.6% vs 2.2%, F = 5.74, p = 0.005). These data show that septuagenarian women demonstrate significant improvement in maximal cardiorespiratory fitness through moderate exercise training.

Key words

Aging - maximal aerobic power - endurance exercise training - walking

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