title: Age as a factor in the hemodynamic responses to isometric exercise.
abstract: This study was designed to determine the effect of isometric contractions of the finger flexors and leg extensor muscle groups on the cardiovascular responses of men 18-31 and 50-71 years of age. A 2X2X4 split-plot design was carried out with men representing two age groups, using two muscle groups and performing isometric contractions at four different intensities. Analysis of variance indicated significant differences for all main effects. The systolic and diastolic blood pressures were found to be (1) higher for the leg extension contractions compared to the finger flexion contractions, (2) higher for each increment in %MVC workload, and (3) higher for the older individuals. Heart rate responses were found to be (1) higher for the leg extension exercises, (2) higher with each increase in %MVC, and (3) higher for the younger subjects. Stroke volumes demonstrated (1) higher values for the young men at each workload, (2) lower values for leg extension exercises, and (3) a greater decline with longer contraction times. The older individuals had higher pressor responses than did the younger subjects, higher pressor and heart rate responses were observed with isometric leg extension exercises and increasing %MVC levels, and the older subjects had lower stroke volume responses compared to the younger subjects.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Van Loan
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Massey
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Boileau
authors.forename: T G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Lohman
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Misner
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Best
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000502:physiology