Aerobic training in the 'oldest old': the effect of 24 weeks of training.

OBJECTIVE to determine the effects of aerobic training on the maximal aerobic power of healthy, very elderly people. DESIGN a 12-week control period followed by 24 weeks of progressive, weight bearing, aerobic training. SUBJECTS 26 men and women aged 79 to 91 years conforming to pre-determined health criteria. METHODS we took measurements before and after a 12 week control period and following 24 weeks of training. These were maximal aerobic power (VO(2)max), heart rate at an oxygen consumption of 10 ml x kg(-1) x min(-1) (HR at VO(2)10), resting heart rate, isometric knee extensor strength, isometric elbow flexor strength and lower limb extensor power. MAIN RESULTS pre-control values of VO(2)max for the women and men were 14.1 (SD 2.79) and 22.0 (5.12) ml.kg(-1).min(-1) respectively. There was no significant change in the VO(2)max of either group over the control period. After training, there was a 15% increase in the VO(2)max of the women (P<0.01) but no change was observed in the men. In the women, there was no significant change in HR at VO(2)10 over the control period but a 14% decrease (P<0.01) after training. In the men there was a 7% (P<0.05) increase in HR at VO(2)10 over the control period and a 5% (P<0.05) decrease after training. No effect of training was seen on isometric knee extensor strength, isometric elbow flexor strength or lower limb extensor power of either group. CONCLUSION progressive aerobic training can increase the maximal aerobic power of very elderly women. A 15% increase in VO(2)max may prevent many elderly women from crossing functionally important thresholds, thereby helping to maintain independence.