Physical Work Capacity and Static Lung Volumes in Elderly People

Abstract.Results of determinations of lung volumes and physical work capacity in apparently healthy individuals of ages 57–71 years are reported. Function parameters for physical work capacity are correlated to certain lung volumes and parameters constituting measures of ventilatory capacity. The series would appear to fulfil, to a reasonable degree, the requirement of being representative of the population within the age range concerned, which does not seem to have been taken into account to the same extent in previous investigations. In this study, as in previous investigations, it is found that the maximal achievement capacity for circulation‐limited work (Wmax) decreased with increasing age, but in addition, our study, in contrast to previous investigations, indicates a decrease in submaximal indirect measures of physical work capacity (W170, W150, W130) with increasing age. This should mean that the reduction in physical work capacity with increasing age is not only due to a decrease in the maximal heart rate (HRmax), but that other factors are also of importance. It is probable that a reduced degree of physical training plays an important role in this respect. No strong correlations are found either between lung volumes and physical work capacity or between ventilation capacity and physical work capacity. In this respect our results differ from the results of previously published studies on younger persons. The hypothesis is considered that the regression of physiological function with increasing age may have different time courses for the respiratory and the circulatory systems.