Effects of High-Intensity Endurance Training on Maximal Oxygen Consumption in Healthy Elderly People

Abstract

The primary intent of this study was to determine whether high-intensity endurance training increased maximal oxygen consumption (VO 2max) in an older adult population. Twenty-one healthy, untrained men and women (69.7 years, SD 2.7 years) participated and were randomly assigned to a high-intensity training group (TG) (n = 10) and a control group (CG) (n = 11). The TG trained three times a week for 10 weeks. Each 60-minute training session included four repetitions of exercise at approximately 85% to 95% of maximal heart rate separated by 4-minute rest periods. The control group was encouraged to perform no additive strength or endurance training during the study period. Maximal oxygen consumption increased significantly (p < .05) (13.2%) in the TG compared to the CG. Walking economy and maximal walking speed were unchanged after the training intervention. This training study demonstrates that high-intensity endurance training significantly improves VO 2max in older adults.

Exercise-training-induced changes in metabolic capacity with age: the role of central cardiovascular plasticity

“…Specifically, the typically lower initial baseline VO 2max in the old subjects mathematically biases this assessment of improvement in favor of the older subjects. Therefore, previous studies have indeed revealed robust improvements in VO 2max , presented as a percentage change, of 10-30 % in older subjects after training interventions lasting between 8 weeks and 1 year (Coggan et al 1992;Fujimoto et al 2010;Kohrt et al 1991;Makrides et al 1990;McGuire et al 2001b;Murias et al 2010;Osteras et al 2005). These percentage improvements in VO 2max are comparable, if not even higher than the improvements sometimes documented in young subjects Makrides et al 1990;Murias et al 2010).…”

“…1 and Table 2). Previously, this high aerobic intensity exercise training approach has revealed consistent and relatively impressive training adaptations across age in healthy individuals Osteras et al 2005) and in a range of patient populations (Slordahl et al 2005;Tjonna et al 2008;Wisloff et al 2007). However, both training status and variations in basal metabolic capacity can confound comparisons of exercise-induced changes across such groups.…”

“…Previously, it has been documented that old subjects can both maintain a high VO 2max and achieve significant improvements in aerobic capacity with endurance training (Grimsmo et al 2010;Hagberg et al 1985;Murias et al 2010;Osteras et al 2005;Tanaka and Seals 2008;Trappe et al 2013). However, attempts to examine the effect of age on the plasticity of VO 2max have been clouded by anomalies either in study design or analyses.…”

“…Thus, as exercise intensity has been well documented as a crucial stimulus to maintain and improve VO 2max in young subjects , it is highly likely that the reduction in exercise intensity may have a major impact also on VO 2max in the old. Additionally, although similar percentage improvements of 10-30 % in VO 2max have been commonly documented following effective aerobic endurance training interventions in both young and old subjects, conclusions about exercise-induced metabolic plasticity have been clouded by differences in initial aerobic fitness Helgerud et al 2011;Osteras et al 2005;Slordahl et al 2005;Wisloff et al 2007). Adaptations to both central and peripheral components of the oxygen transport system contribute to changes in VO 2max , with increases in Q max , achieved by an enhanced SV, suggested to be important in augmenting whole body exercise capacity Helgerud et al 2011).…”

“…Although this decline in aerobic capacity with increasing age is often considered to be inevitable, it seems that this fall can be decelerated, maintained, or even reversed in the elderly by maintaining a high level of physical activity (Faulkner et al 2008;Fujimoto et al 2010;Grimsmo et al 2010;Heath et al 1981;McGuire et al 2001b;Murias et al 2010;Osteras et al 2005;Posner et al 1986;Rogers et al 1990;Trappe et al 2013;Trappe et al 1996). Indeed, marathon running times of approximately 2.5 h or less, documented in males older than 60 years of age, reveal that a VO 2max of ∼70 mL min kg −1 (Helgerud 1994;Tokmakidis et al 1987), a high value exhibited by young endurance athletes at the peak of their careers, is still feasible with increasing age.…”