Cholesterol reduction and increased cardiovascular fitness following a 12 weeks brisk walking.
The effects of a walking training programme were assesed on 10 healthy, active men aged 63-69 years. Serum lipids, pulse and blood pressure, maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max) and anthropometric parameters, were measured before and after this programme. There was a significant fall in LDL (p<0.02) and mean diastolic BP (p<0.005). In spite of the subjects's initial good level of fitness there was still an 8% rise in the mean VO2 max of the group. There was also a significant loss of body fat (P<0.01). These positive physiological effects suggest that brisk walking can be considered as a a useful activity for improving the fitness and general health in this age-range.
Paillard
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T
Department of Gerontology and Internal Medicine, Purpan University Hospital, Toulouse, France. DEACES.CG12@wanadoo.fr
Lafont
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Costes-Salon
M C
MC
Dupui
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P
Riviere
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D
Vellas
B
B
D000368:Aged; D000886:Anthropometry; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001823:Body Composition; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL