Performing four or more weekly endurance exercise sessions over ≥25 years resulted in significant gains in Vo2max, stroke volume, and heart rate regulation during exercise (P<0.05).
Cross-Sectional (n=101)
Does lifelong endurance exercise dose improve cardiovascular function and hemodynamics during exercise in seniors?
Performing four or more weekly endurance exercise sessions over a lifetime significantly improves Vo2max and stroke volume during exercise in seniors, though it does not enhance LV diastolic filling.
p-value: p=<0.05
An increased "dose" of endurance exercise training is associated with a greater maximal oxygen uptake (Vo2max), a larger left ventricular (LV) mass, and improved heart rate and blood pressure control. However, the effect of lifelong exercise dose on metabolic and hemodynamic response during exercise has not been previously examined. We performed a cross-sectional study on 101 (69 men) seniors (60 yr and older) focusing on lifelong exercise frequency as an index of exercise dose. These included 27 who had performed ≤ 2 exercise sessions/wk (sedentary), 25 who performed 2-3 sessions/wk (casual), 24 who performed 4-5 sessions/wk (committed) and 25 who performed ≥ 6 sessions/wk plus regular competitions (Masters athletes) over at least the last 25 yr. Oxygen uptake and hemodynamics cardiac output, stroke volume (SV) were collected at rest, two levels of steady-state submaximal exercise, and maximal exercise. Doppler ultrasound measures of LV diastolic filling were assessed at rest and during LV loading (saline infusion) to simulate increased LV filling. Body composition, total blood volume, and heart rate recovery after maximal exercise were also examined. Vo2max increased in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). At maximal exercise, cardiac output and SV were largest in committed exercisers and Masters athletes (P < 0.05), while arteriovenous oxygen difference was greater in all trained groups (P < 0.05). At maximal exercise, effective arterial elastance, an index of ventricular-arterial coupling, was lower in committed exercisers and Masters athletes (P < 0.05). Doppler measures of LV filling were not enhanced at any condition, irrespective of lifelong exercise frequency. These data suggest that performing four or more weekly endurance exercise sessions over a lifetime results in significant gains in Vo2max, SV, and heart rate regulation during exercise; however, improved SV regulation during exercise is not coupled with favorable effects on LV filling, even when the heart is fully loaded.
Carrick‐Ranson et al. (Fri,) conducted a cross-sectional in Healthy seniors (n=101). Lifelong endurance exercise vs. Sedentary (≤2 sessions/week) or casual (2-3 sessions/week) was evaluated on Vo2max, cardiac output, stroke volume, and LV filling during exercise (p=<0.05). Performing four or more weekly endurance exercise sessions over ≥25 years resulted in significant gains in Vo2max, stroke volume, and heart rate regulation during exercise (P<0.05).
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