[Development of a walking stage test (PWT) for the elderly]

The aim of the project promoted by the federal state of North-Rhine/Westphalia was the development of a field stage test focusing on endurance exercises of elderly people which withstand test-theoretical quality criteria, in particular that of economy. The main objectives were therefore the measurement of individual potential by measuring the heart rate, with simultaneous minimization of health risks and a close link to normal, everyday exercises. The test procedure was supposed to estimate the aerobic endurance of elderly people in order to enable us to give individual training recommendations on walking. In a three-phase procedure (laboratory and field ergometry, test development, and evaluation) with a total of 90 test persons, the individual heart rates and lactate levels were measured in 269 single tests. The findings show that an evaluation of the individual performance capability on the basis of heart rate is possible using a three-stage power walking test (PWT), without requiring maximum strain of the subjects. The PWT can therefore be seen as a diagnostic instrument available for the age group of the 60-80 year-olds, supplying a default for an individual strain dosage for walking. The test is accomplished independently of the respective age of the subjects and the result is an individual training plan for walking on the basis of an estimate of personal endurance. Developed as a staged test, the three levels requiring a 400 m walk on each level at different speeds, all the test requires is the measurement of the heart rate at the end of each level. The validity of the common guides for the planning of training by heart rate for systematic endurance training (walking) is thereby improved enabling a more individual training recommendation.