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Getting to Compliance in Forced Exercise in Rodents: A Critical Standard to Evaluate Exercise Impact in Aging-related Disorders and Disease
Published on: August 22, 2014
Effect of exercise on cardiovascular ageing
F W Kasch1, J L Boyer, S P Van Camp
1San Diego State University, Exercise Laboratory, California 92182.
Age and Ageing
|January 1, 1993
Summary
This study tracked cardiovascular function in 12 men over 25 years. Despite aging, their cardiovascular health remained significantly better than average, showing a slower decline than previously reported.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Gerontology
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Cardiovascular aging poses significant public health challenges, including reduced quality of life and increased health risks.
- Existing literature suggests substantial declines in cardiovascular function with age, but lacks long-term longitudinal data.
- No prior studies have longitudinally tracked cardiovascular function and exercise habits over 25 years in aging men.
Purpose of the Study:
- To longitudinally assess changes in cardiovascular function (Vo2 max) in aging men over 25 years.
- To correlate cardiovascular function decline with age and compare it to existing literature.
- To investigate the impact of long-term exercise training on cardiovascular health in aging.
Main Methods:
- Serial measurements of cardiovascular function (Vo2 max) were conducted on 12 healthy men aged 44-79.
- Data collection spanned 25 years, with measurements at 0, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years.
- Monthly exercise training data (mode, frequency, intensity, duration) were recorded throughout the study period.
Main Results:
- The study group maintained cardiovascular function 60% higher than the average reported in ten investigations.
- The overall decline in maximal oxygen uptake (Vo2 max) was 13% over 25 years, averaging 5% per decade.
- The rate of decline in cardiovascular function was 0.24 ml.min-1.kg-1.year-1, which is half the average decline reported in the literature for aging.
Conclusions:
- Long-term cardiovascular function in aging men can be significantly better than average, even with the development of some pathological diseases.
- The rate of cardiovascular function decline observed in this study is substantially lower than previously reported averages for aging.
- Regular exercise training appears to play a crucial role in preserving cardiovascular health throughout the aging process.
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