Ageing of the cardiovascular system during 33 years of aerobic exercise

Background: increasing age affects aerobic capacity, with an average loss o f 10% or more per decade. Aim: to determine the effect of ageing on the circulatory system in middle- aged men during 33 years of physical training. Methods: 15 men initially aged 45 years took part in an exercise training p rogramme for 25-33 years. Nine serial measurements were made at rest and du ring maximal effort. Aerobic training consisted of swimming, jogging, walki ng and cycling 3-4 times per week. Sessions were for 61-70 min at 77-84% of heart rate reserve. Results: there was no change in resting heart rate, blood pressure, percent age fat or body composition. Minimal cardiovascular losses at maximal work included 5.8-6.8% in maximal oxygen uptake per decade, 25 beats in maximum heart rate and 26 beats in heart rate reserve. Conclusion: exercise training has a favourable effect on ageing of the card iovascular system in older men, resulting in minimal loss of oxygen uptake, no rise in resting blood pressure and no change in body composition.