[Results of 3 months' endurance training on a bicycle ergometer in people between 67 and 76]

8 healthy women and 4 men, examined by a clinical check-up, mean age 71.1 years, took part in a bicycle ergometer training, 3 times a week, for 12 weeks. Symptom limited ergometric bicycle tests were done before and after the training period. The training work load was continuously controlled by maintaining the training heart rate according to 60% of the maximum work load of the first test. In order to hold the training heart rate (HR) on a constant level the work load had to be increased systematically during the whole training period up to 180% of the level at the beginning. The working time in each training session was increased from 2 X 10 minutes in the beginning up to 2 X 20 minutes from the 7. week on. The maximum work load (+ 15%) and the maximum oxygen uptake (+ 14%) increased significantly. The submaximal HR decreased significantly. In maximum HR and maximum decrease of the base excess were no significant changes, indicating a real endurance training effect and not only an increase in the degree of exhaustion. We conclude that also in healthy people between 67-76 years a significant endurance effect is possible when the training is systematically increased in work load and working time, according to the rules of training science.