Effects of strength training on cardiovascular responses during a submaximal walk and a weight-loaded walking test in older females.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a total body strength training program on oxygen uptake (VO2), heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and rate pressure product (RPP) during a submaximal walk and a weight-loaded walking test in healthy women 60-77 years old.


METHODS
The submaximal walk (2 mph and 3.5% grade) took place during stage 3 of a graded exercise test. The weight-loaded walking task consisted of treadmill walking at 2 mph while carrying a box weighing 40% of maximum isometric elbow flexion strength. The women strength trained three times per week for approximately 1 hour per session for 16 weeks.


RESULTS
Paired t tests determined that strength increased by 57% on six isotonic strength tests (one repetition maximum) and by 29% on two isometric strength tests. A repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the pre- to post-differences between and within the two tests (alpha = 0.05). There was no change in VO2 but HR, SBP, and RPP decreased significantly during the submaximal walk and the weight-loaded walking test. However, average HR (135 to 120 bpm) and RPP (23.3 x 10(3) to 19.3 x 10(3)) decreased more during the weight-loaded walking test than during the submaximal walk (HR: 108 to 104 bpm; RPP 18.3 x 10(3) to 17.0 x 10(3)).


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, the reduced HR, SBP, and RPP indicates that strength training may reduce cardiovascular stress during daily tasks in healthy older women.
University of Alabama at Birmingham Center for Aging, USA.
N D
ND
Parker
G R
GR
Hunter
M S
MS
Treuth
T
T
Kekes-Szabo
S H
SH
Kell
R
R
Weinsier
M
M
White
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005080:Exercise Test; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D012737:Sex Factors; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*; D014891:Weight Lifting