[Exercise training for aged patients with respiratory insufficiency is possible. Apropos of 2 cases]

Two patients aged 69 and 75 respectively and suffering from chronic obstructive lung disease (Par CO2 7.8 and 9.2 kPa at rest) were trained on a treadmill for 6 months. Twice a week, they were asked to walk for an increasing length of time (up to 30 min) and with increasing work load under continuous heart rate (HR) monitoring. On the remaining days of the week, they had to walk on their own during 30 min. Examinations performed before and after 3 and 6 months of training showed no change in lung function tests at rest, an increase in maximal work load, VO2 max and maximum HR, and a delayed anaerobic threshold. The subjects claimed greater fitness. This study demonstrates that elderly patients with respiratory impairment can benefit from exercise training, the changes observed consisting of better cardiac and metabolic adaptation to exercise.