The effect of habitual exercise on respiratory- muscle function in older adults.
Older adults' participation in habitual exercise might be affected by alterations to respiratory mechanics such as decreased respiratory-muscle strength. This reduction can cause a decrease in efficiency of the ventilatory pump, potentially compromising exercise participation. This research examined the role of habitual exercise in respiratory-muscle function and the associated implications for exercise performance. Seventy-two healthy older adults (36 men, 64.9 +/- 8.6 years, 177.2 +/- 8.4 cm, 82.5+/- 11.9 kg; 36 women, 64.9 +/- 9.5 years, 161.7+/- 6.4 cm, 61.6 +/- 9.2 kg) undertook respiratory-function and walking-performance tests. Active men and women achieved higher scores than their inactive counterparts for all tests except spirometry, where no differences were evident. The results indicate that a significant amount of the elevated fitness level might be accounted for by increased endurance capacity of the inspiratory muscles. Inactive older individuals might be at risk for inadequate respiratory-muscle strength, so interventions should be considered.
Watsford
Mark L
ML
School of Leisure, Sport and Tourism, University of Thechnology, Sydney, Lindfield, Australia.
Murphy
Aron J
AJ
Pine
Matthew J
MJ
Coutts
Aaron J
AJ
D000368:Aged / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006184:Habits; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012132:Respiratory Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology