Effects of aerobic exercise training in community-based subjects aged 80 and older: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the ability of sedentary, frail subjects aged 80 and older to train in a community-based exercise program and to evaluate clinical factors that predict improvements in peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak).


METHODS
Pretest, posttest.


METHODS
Charlestown Retirement Community, Catonsville, Maryland


METHODS
Twenty-two (11 male, 11 female; mean age +/- standard deviation = 84 +/- 4.0, range 80-92) self-referred.


METHODS
Six months of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise training, two to three sessions/week, 20 to 30 minutes per session. Training modes included treadmill walking and/or stationary cycling.


METHODS
Baseline and follow-up maximal exercise treadmill tests (ETTs) with electrocardiogram monitoring and respiratory gas analysis.


RESULTS
Six months of aerobic exercise training resulted in significant increases (mean +/- standard deviation) in ETT duration (11.9 +/- 3.3 vs 15.9 +/- 4.3 minutes; P =.01), VO2peak (1.23 +/- 0.37 vs 1.31 +/- 0.36 L/min; P =.04), and oxygen pulse (9.3 +/- 2.8 vs 10.1 +/- 3.2; P =.03). Mean heart rate was significantly lower during submaximal ETT stages 1 through 4 (P <.05), and resting systolic blood pressure decreased (146 +/- 18 vs 133 +/- 14 mmHg; P =.01) after training. Multiple regression analysis indicated that baseline VO2peak (r = 0.75, P =.002) and the total amount of time spent in exercise training (r = 0.55, P =.008) were independent predictors of the training-related improvements in VO2peak.


CONCLUSIONS
Subjects aged 80 and older can increase aerobic capacity and reduce systolic blood pressure in a community-based exercise program of moderate intensity. The most important predictors of change in VO2peak were baseline VO2peak and the time spent in exercise training. Subjects with a lower baseline VO2peak had the greatest improvements in VO2peak after training.
Vaitkevicius
Peter V
PV
Division of Geriatrics and Cardiology, University of Michigan Medical School and Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System/Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (11G), Ann Arbor 48105, USA. pvait@umich.edu
Ebersold
Caroline
C
Shah
Muhammad S
MS
Gill
Nikita S
NS
Katz
Robert L
RL
Narrett
Matthew J
MJ
Applebaum
Gary E
GE
Parrish
Sheryl M
SM
O'Connor
Frances C
FC
Fleg
Jerome L
JL
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over / Q000502:physiology*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D015444:Exercise; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D010865:Pilot Projects