Effects of a low-intensity conditioning programme on (V)over-dot O-2max and maximal instantaneous peak power in elderly women

The effects of 12 weeks of a low-intensity general conditioning programme o n maximal instantaneous peak power ((W)over dot (peak)) and maximal oxygen uptake ((V)over dot O-2max) were examined in 20 elderly women. After medica l, familiarisation, and ethical procedures, the subjects were randomly divi ded into either a training and or a control group. The training group [n = 11; mean (SD) age 63.0 (3.1) years] agreed to take part in a 12-week traini ng programme at an exercise intensity kept under 60% of the heart rate rese rve for about 60 min, 3 times a week. The control group [n = 9; mean (SD) a ge 63.5 (3.3) years] did not perform ally particular physical training. Bef ore and after the training period, all participants underwent anthropometri c measures and a maximal cycling test to exhaustion to measure their (V)ove r dot O-2max. In addition, (W)over dot (peak) was determined 1 week later b y the subjects performing a vertical jump from a squatting position on a fo rce platform. Following training, neither the anthropometric characteristic s nor the (V)over dot O-2max changed in either of the groups. In contrast, (W)over dot (peak) increased significantly (P < 0.001) in the training grou p, but did not change in the control group. This result could be interprete d as the result of an improved level of neuromuscular activation. Furthermo re, it shows that although muscle power declines with age at a faster rate than does aerobic power, its sensitivity to training seems to be higher tha n that of the aerobic system.