Physical training in the aged person

Physical training is considered as fundamental in the functional activation of aged people. The authors studied the effects of training especially on cardiovascular function and serum lipids. The subjects consisted of 2 large groups subdivided into males (M) and females (F). Group A lived with their families and were relatively active, Group B lived in a home for retired aged people and were physically inactive. AM: N = 25, 65.0 +/- 19.1YO AF: N = 8, 63.1 +/- 6.7YO BM: N = 13, 69.1 +/- 20.8YO BF: N = 17, 67.5 +/- 18.0YO, 63 persons in all. Training heart rates (THR) were calculated using Karvonen's formula from the symptom limited maximal heart rate (HR max, S.L.) on a low grade treadmill test. Subjects received tasked physical training under the surveillance of a physician every hour twice a week for 4 months. Endpoint treadmill speeds were AM46.8 +/- 25.4, AF42.5 +/- 20.5, BM31.7 +/- 19.0, BF24.7 + 18.1 m/min, reflecting capacity for physical work. As expected, HR response to the same load decreased in all groups after 4 months of training. Systolic blood pressure response decreased significantly in the active group but, surprisingly, increased in Group B. Diastolic blood pressure response showed a similar decreasing tendency in both groups. Triglyceride decreased in both groups but the decrease was marked in Group A. HDL-cholesterol increased significantly in all groups. The ratio of pre-ejection period over ejection time decreased in all groups reflecting increased cardiac muscle contractility. Cardiothoracic ratio decreased in Group B but increased in Group A. Basal metabolic rate increased in Group B.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)