Abstract

Responses to endurance training have been examined in 14 men and 28 women aged60-83 years. Subjects allocated themselves to one of four categories, distinguished on attendance (low frequency, LF, less than two 1 h sessions per week,high frequency, HF, more than two 1 h sessions per week)and intensity of training (low intensity, LI, heart rate of 120-130 beats/min maximum; high intensity, HI, heart rate 140-150 beats/min maximum). Bicycle ergometer predictionsof VO2 max were made initially, and after 7, 14, and 52 weeks of training. In percentage terms, the final gain of 24 compared favourably with that seen in younger individuals. Most of the improvement occured over the first 7 weeks oftraining. The largest (29) and most rapid gains were registered bythe HFHI group. The LF HI group made more modest gains in the first 7 weeks, with little subsequent improvement. The HF LI group made small but significant gains in both the first and the second 7 week period, while the LF LI group showed no change of predicted VO2max. Evidence of successful training includeda faster recovery of the heart rate following submaximal exercise, and an increase in the distance covered in a 12 minute walk/run. Verf.-Referat (gekuerzt)