title: The intensity of chair-assisted exercises in cognitively healthy older adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The American College of Sports Medicine prescribes regular performance of at least moderate-intensity physical activity for healthy aging. This study examined whether 1 session of 30 min of chair-assisted exercises for the elderly meets this intensity criterion.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study included 47 cognitively healthy volunteers (mean age 84 years). During the performance of 30 min of chair-assisted exercises the authors determined oxygen uptake (VO2), carbon dioxide production, heart rate (HR), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). These measures were expressed as a percentage of the estimated maximal VO2 (VO2max) and the estimated maximal HR (HRmax) and estimated as metabolic equivalent units (METs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants performed chair-assisted exercises at 61.0% ± 14.7% of VO2max, 67.6% ± 11.3% HRmax, 3.9 ± 0.9 METs, and 13.1 ± 2.1 RPE.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The intensity of these chair-assisted exercises is at least moderate for older adults, which is necessary for healthy aging.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Clinical Neuropsychology, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Karin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Volkers
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: van Dijk T
authors.forename: Laura H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Eggermont
authors.forename: A Peter
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Hollander
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Scherder E
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide