Exercise training below and above the lactate threshold in the elderly

Abstract

In this study we report the effects of training at intensities below and above the lactate threshold on parameters of aerobic function in elderly subjects (age range 65-75 yr). The subjects were randomized into high-intensity (HI, N = 8; 75% of heart rate reserve = approximately 82% VO2max = approximately 121% of lactate threshold) and low-intensity (LI, N = 9; 35% of heart rate reserve = approximately 53% VO2max = approximately 72% of lactate threshold) training groups which trained 4 d.wk-1 for 30 min.session-1 for 8 wk. Before and after the training, subjects performed an incremental exercise test for determination of maximal aerobic power (VO2max) and lactate threshold (LT). In addition, the subjects performed a 6-min single-stage exercise test at greater than 75% of pre-training VO2max (SST-High) during which cardiorespiratory responses were evaluated each minute of the test. After training, the improvements in VO2max (7%) for LI and HI were not different from one another (delta VO2max for LI = 1.8 +/- 0.7 ml.kg-1.min-1; delta VO2max for HI = 1.8 +/- 1.0 ml.kg-1.min-1) but were significantly greater (P = 0.02) than the post-testing change observed in the control group (N = 8). Training improved the LT significantly (10-12%; P less than 0.01) and equally for both LI and HI (delta LT for for LI = 2.3 +/- 0.6 ml O2.kg-1.min-1; delta LT for HI = 1.8 +/- 0.8 ml O2.kg-1.min-1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)