Endurance training and body composition of the elderly

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Abstract
Body composition was studied in subjects from the seventh decade of life (13 M, 25 F), observations being made on recruitment and at selected points over a 1-year program of endurance training. As at younger ages, the women initially had more subcutaneous fat than the men, particularly over the limbs. In both sexes, excess weights (9.3 kg, M; 8.1 kg, F) and average skinfold readings (16.2 mm, M; 21.1 mm, F) were greater than in younger adults. Endurance training (1 hr of supervised exercise, 150–200 kcal per session, nominal four sessions per week) progressively reduced skinfold readings, by an average of 1.6 mm at 7 weeks, by 2.4 mm at 14 weeks, and by 3.3 mm at 1 year. Losses were similar in the two sexes, and seemed dependent upon the intensity and the frequency of exercise undertaken by the individual. Total body potassium (40K determinations) agreed well with previous studies of older subjects. Body fat estimated from 40K showed a fair correlation with skinfold estimates of body fat (r = 0.69, M; 0.93, F), but absolute percentages were higher by 40K (36.6%, M; 48.7%, F) than by subcutaneous fat measurements (20%, M; 32%, F). Body potassium increased by 4% over the year of training, 70% of this change occurring between the 14th and the 52nd week of conditioning. Small gains were also recorded in arm circumference, grip strength (R but not L) and knee extension force. Neutron activation data showed that both sexes had lower initial bone calcium counts than sedentary middle-aged adults. The sample as a whole showed no calcium loss over the year of training, but the group taking the least exercise did show a significant loss (P < 0.05). Modest endurance training of an elderly population seems not only to correct loss of cardiorespiratory condition, but also to induce favorable changes in body fat and lean mass.