Ventilatory threshold characterizations during incremental rowing and cycling exercises in older subjects

In order to individualize the intensity of an aerobic training program on different ergometers in healthy elderly subjects using a single test of muscular exercise, we analysed cardiorespiratory responses in 8 men (65.7 +/- 4.5 yrs) and 10 women (63.3 +/- 4.8 yrs). The heart rate corresponding to the ventilatory threshold was defined as individualised exercise intensity. All subjects carried out two incremental exercise tests on the cycle and rowing ergometers. For men, the results on the cycle ergometer and rowing ergometer demonstrated that, at ventilatory threshold, heart rates were not significantly different (114.6 +/- 13.7 and 115.6 +/- 14.2 beats x min (-1), respectively), but ventilation was significantly higher in rowing (p < 0.05). At ventilatory threshold, heart rates for women were not significantly different between the cycle ergometer and rowing ergometer (121.3 +/- 12.4 and 125.1 +/- 15.2 beats x min (-1 ), respectively), but ventilation was significantly higher in rowing (p< 0.01). At maximal exercise, maximal tidal volume for men (p < 0.01) and women (p < 0.05) was significantly higher in rowing. In spite of alterations of breathing patterns on the rowing ergometer, it is possible to design an individualized training program for healthy elderly subjects based on a single muscle evaluation exercise in order to diversify and optimize the cardiorespiratory benefits following an aerobic training program.