Wheelchair exercise performance of the young, middle-aged, and elderly

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Abstract
The maximal power output (POmax), peak O2 uptake (peak .ovrhdot.VO2), and maximal heart rate (HRmax) were quantitated for wheelchair ergometer (WERG) exercise performed by 3 groups of disabeled males: young adult (20-30 yr), middle-aged (50-60 yr) and elderly (80-90 yr). These subjects, who were confined to wheelchairs for similar time periods (mean = 11.7 yr), participated in progressive-intensity discontinuous test protocols on a WERG. Lower (P < 0.01) mean POmax, peak .ovrhdot.VO2 and HRmax values were found with advancing age groups. In relationship to age, decreases in POmax and HRmax values were best described by parabolic models; decreases in peak .ovrhdot.VO2 values were best described by a linear model. Compared with young adults (83 W, 27 ml/kg per min) surprisingly low POmax and peak .ovrhdot.VO2 values were found for the middle-aged (16 W, 10 ml/kg per min) and elderly (7 W, 8 ml/kg per min). When peak .ovrhdot.VO2 data were combined with other data in the literature for upper body exercise by male disabeled individuals, a decrease of 0.19 1/min or 2.9 ml/kg per min-1 per decade of life was found.

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