Long-Term Enrollment in a Community Exercise Program Attenuates Age-Related Declines in Fitness in Older Adults

Introduction The purpose of this study was to examine changes in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and muscle strength (MS) in participants of a community-based exercise program through a retrospective chart review. Methods In this observational study, participants ( n = 124, 69 females) completed exercise tests before enrollment and after a minimum of 1 yr of participation. One-sample t -tests were used to compare annualized rates of change in CRF and MS compared with published rates of change. Results After a mean follow-up time of 5.2 ± 2.6 yr, absolute and relative rates of decline in peak oxygen uptake (V˙O 2peak ) were less than expected among males, whereas absolute and relative V˙O 2peak improved over time in females compared with established rates of decline. Rates of decline in strength were less than the established rates of decline in both males and females. Conclusion These findings suggest that enrollment in a community-based exercise program was associated with improved aerobic and muscular fitness outcomes in both females and males compared with established rates of change.