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

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

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
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Publication History

Publication Date:
14 March 2008 (online)

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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