Cardiovascular Benefits of Endurance Training in Seniors: 40 is not too Late to Start.
It is unknown whether commencing structured endurance training after 40 years of age is powerful enough to induce beneficial cardiovascular adaptations in later life. 34 men between the ages of 55 and 75 were included: 10 life-long sedentary seniors (SED), 13 endurance master athletes who commenced training≤30 years of age (ET30), and 11 endurance master athletes who commenced training≥40 years of age with no prior physical training (ET40). All performed resting 5-min spectral heart rate (HR) variability analysis, resting and submaximal-exercise echocardiography, and a maximal exercise test. Maximal oxygen uptake was higher and resting HR was lower in both trained groups vs. SED, without difference between ET30 and ET40. Atrial and left ventricle dimensions were greater in ET30 and ET40 vs. SED, without difference between both athletes groups. At rest, total arterial compliance was improved in both ET30 and ET40 compared to SED. During submaximal exercise, improvement in global LV afterload was only observed in ET30 vs. SED. Two powerful markers of health, maximal oxygen uptake and resting HR, did not differ between athletes who commenced training before 30 or after 40 years of age, but were significantly improved compared to their life-long sedentary counterparts.
LTSI Inserm UMR 1099, Rennes, France.
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D
Matelot
LTSI Inserm UMR 1099, Rennes, France.
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F
Schnell
CIC-IT Inserm 804, Rennes, France.
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G
Kervio
Cardiovascular Diseases Department, University Hospital of Rennes, Rennes, France.
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C
Ridard
LTSI Inserm UMR 1099, Rennes, France.
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Thillaye du Boullay
Athlete Health and Performance Research Centre ASPETAR, Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar Research Institute of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK. Research Institute of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Canberra, Australia.
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M
Wilson
CIC-IT Inserm 804, Rennes, France.
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F
Carre
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D056352:Athletes; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D002319:Cardiovascular System; D004452:Echocardiography; D005080:Exercise Test; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D064797:Physical Conditioning, Human; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012146:Rest; D057185:Sedentary Behavior