THE EFFECT OF MINIMAL EXERCISE ON FITNESS IN ELDERLY WOMEN AFTER HIP-SURGERY

To determine the effect of minimal exercise on functional fitness foll owing total hip replacement in elderly women, 20 women (13 exercisers, 7 controls) who had undergone unilateral or bilateral hip replacement surgery for primary osteoarthritis were studied. An exercise treadmil l rest with respiratory gas and blood lactate analyses, and a field te st of walking speed on a measured course, were administered before and after a twice weekly exercise programme of three months' duration. Ma rkers of cardiorespiratory fitness, including peak achieved oxygen upt ake (VO2) and ventilatory and lactate thresholds were measured. Maximu m self-selected walking speed was also measured over a flat course. Pe ak VO2 increased in the exercise group when compared to baseline (P < 0.05) bur did not differ from the control group. The exercise group si gnificantly improved their walking speed by 10.1% compared with non-ex ercising controls (1.41 vs 1.20 m/sec, P < 0.05), and increased VO2 at lactate threshold. The improvements occurred despite the twice weekly exercise sessions being below the recommended frequency of exercise f or improving cardiorespiratory fitness. Minimal exercise in elderly wo men after hip surgery cart substantially improve submaximal exercise c apacity, as well as walking speed.