Physiological adjustments to higher- or lower-intensity exercise in elders

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Abstract
Eveloped to determine whether exercising at lower intensities (LI) is a significant conditioning stimulus. In addition, differences in aerobic capacities (Vo2max) elicited by training at LI, as opposed to training at higher intensities (HI), were evaluated. Thirty-two volunteers over 60 yr of age (mean=67.8 yr) participated in a 9-wk exercise program. After initial testing of Vow on a cycle ergometer, subjects were assigned randomly to the HI, LI, or control group. Endurance training of the two exercise groups on cycle ergometers was maintained at 30–45% (N=14) or 60–75% (N=14) of the range (HRR) between the subject's resting and maximum heart rate for 25 min during each exercise session. These training intensities represented 57 and 70% of the Vo2max of the LI and HI groups, respectively. Participants averaged three exercise sessions per week. Non-exercising volunteers served as control subjects. A one-way ANOVA with repeated measures was utilized for comparisons of retest, groups, and interaction. As a result of the exercise program, significant changes (P<0.005) in absolute (Vo2maxl.min-1) and relative (Vo2max ml min-1.kg-1) aerobic capacities were realized within each training group while initial and post-training Vo2max were not significantly different between the two groups. Similar changes were documented by a reduction in heart rate at submaximal exercise intensities and during recovery. It Was concluded that exercising at LI (30–45% HRR) is an adequate training stimulus in older individuals and produces changes in Vo2max that are comparable to those elicited by HI (60–75% HRR) training. ©1983The American College of Sports Medicine...