Age and Ageing 2002; 31: 255-260
© 2002, British Geriatrics Society
Research papers |
Aerobic training in the ‘oldest old’: the effect of 24 weeks of training
University Department of Geriatric Medicine, Royal Free and University College Medical School, Royal Free Campus, London, UK
1 Present address: Primary Care & Population Sciences, Royal Free and University College Medical School, London, UK
2 Present address: Geriatric Medicine, Department of Clinical and Surgical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
Abstract
Objective: to determine the effects of aerobic training on the maximal aerobic power of healthy, very elderly people.
Design: a 12-week control period followed by 24 weeks of progressive, weight bearing, aerobic training.
Subjects: 26 men and women aged 79 to 91 years conforming to pre-determined health criteria.
Methods: we took measurements before and after a 12 week control period and following 24 weeks of training. These were maximal aerobic power (VO2max), heart rate at an oxygen consumption of 10 ml.kg-1.min-1 (HR at VO210), resting heart rate, isometric knee extensor strength, isometric elbow flexor strength and lower limb extensor power.
Main results: pre-control values of VO2max for the women and men were 14.1 (SD 2.79) and 22.0 (5.12) ml.kg-1.min-1 respectively. There was no significant change in the VO2max of either group over the control period. After training, there was a 15% increase in the VO2max of the women (P<0.01) but no change was observed in the men. In the women, there was no significant change in HR at VO210 over the control period but a 14% decrease (P<0.01) after training. In the men there was a 7% (P<0.05) increase in HR at VO210 over the control period and a 5% (P<0.05) decrease after training. No effect of training was seen on isometric knee extensor strength, isometric elbow flexor strength or lower limb extensor power of either group.
Conclusion: progressive aerobic training can increase the maximal aerobic power of very elderly women. A 15% increase in VO2max may prevent many elderly women from crossing functionally important thresholds, thereby helping to maintain independence.
Keywords: maximal aerobic power, aged, 80 and over, perceived exertion, endurance training
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