title: Effects of exercise on cardiovascular performance in the elderly.
abstract: Progressive aging induces several structural and functional alterations in the cardiovascular system, among whom particularly important are a reduced number of myocardial cells and increased interstitial collagen fibers, which result in impaired left ventricular diastolic function. Even in the absence of cardiovascular disease, aging is strongly associated to a age-related reduced maximal aerobic capacity. This is due to a variety of physiological changes both at central and at peripheral level. Physical activity (PA) appears in general to have a positive effect on several health outcomes in the elderly. This review aims to illustrate the beneficial effects of exercise on the physiologic decline of cardiovascular performance occurring with age. Furthermore, it will be stressed also the positive effect of physical activity in elderly patients affected by cardiovascular diseases, such as heart failure and hypertension, and multiple comorbidities which may significantly worse prognosis in this high risk population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vigorito
authors.affiliation: Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II Naples, Italy ; School of Science and Technology, University of New England Armidale, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Giallauria
keywords: adrenergic system; cardiovascular system; elderly; exercise; vascular diseases