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Effect of exercise training on physical activity and substrate utilization in the elderly
E P Meijer1, K R Westerterp, F T Verstappen
1Department of Human Biology, Maastricht University, The Netherlands. e.meijer@hb.unimaas.nl
International Journal of Sports Medicine
|November 9, 2000
Summary
Structured exercise training in older adults increases fat utilization but decreases non-training physical activity. This effect is more pronounced in individuals with higher pre-training fat oxidation rates.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Exercise Physiology
- Metabolic Health
Background:
- Physical activity and substrate utilization are crucial for metabolic health in the elderly.
- Understanding the interplay between structured training and daily physical activity is important for this demographic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of a structured training program on physical activity levels and substrate utilization in older adults.
- To determine how changes in physical activity and substrate utilization correlate with pre-training characteristics.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving an exercise group and a control group.
- Data collection at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks.
- Physical activity measured using tri-axial accelerometers.
- Substrate utilization assessed via resting respiratory exchange ratio (RER) using indirect calorimetry.
Main Results:
- Physical activity on training days was higher at 6 weeks but lower at 12 weeks compared to non-training days.
- A significant decrease in RER indicated increased relative fat oxidation.
- Changes in RER were inversely correlated with pre-training RER.
Conclusions:
- In older adults, structured exercise leads to a compensatory decrease in non-training physical activity.
- Training enhances relative fat utilization in those with higher pre-training fat oxidation.
- Individuals with lower pre-training fat oxidation may decrease relative fat utilization following training.