Medical examinations of and advice to middle-aged persons starting physical training

Medical screening of all middle-aged persons who want to start physical training is impossible due to practical and economical reasons. These examination should be confined to persons with symptoms from various organ systems especially the cardiovascular system, and to persons who experience these symptoms during training. Recommendations for examination are described briefly. Physical training may improve cardiovascular function and positively influence factors normally associated with the aging process. In order to achieve these effects, training for 30 minutes, three times a week seems to be sufficient. The intensity of training should be high enough to tax approximately 50% of the individual's maximal oxygen consumption. This intensity can be secured by recording the individual's heart rate during the activity, by using the "talk speed" intensity, or by using perceived exertion according to the Borg scale. During the first weeks of training the intensity should be even lower in order to avoid injuries to the musculo-skeletal system.