The effects of physical training of functional capacity in adults - Ages 46 to 90: a meta-analysis

Background. There is a progressive decline in the functional capacity (FC) of the cardiovascular system with aging. This deterioration is reflected in a decrease in the maximal oxygen consumption ((V) over dot O(2)max). The p urpose of this quantitative review was to determine the effects of various components of the exercise prescription on FC in older individuals (ages 46 -90 years). Methods. This study synthesized the results of 27 studies by meta-analysis, which generated a total of 34 effect sizes, Each effect size represented a n independent measure of the impact of physical training on maximal oxygen consumption ((V) over dot O(2)max). A total of 720 subjects were included i n this review, The studies were coded according to intensity, session durat ion, length of training and mode of exercise. Results, A significant difference was found (p<0.001) in FC between studies in which the intensity of exercise was greater than or equal to to 80% of (V) over dot O(2)max compared to those with training intensities of 60-75% of (V) over dot O(2)max. A significant difference was found (p<0.002) for e xercise duration; namely, a duration of greater than or equal to 30 minutes produced significantly greater improvements in (V) over dot O(2)max when c ompared to an exercise duration less than 30 minutes. There was no signific ant difference reported in FC between studies that lasted 15 or more weeks in duration compared to those that lasted less than 15 weeks, Finally, ther e was no significant difference reported in FC in studies that utilized a w alk/jog training mode compared to those which utilized cycle ergometry. Conclusions. Despite the inevitable decline in (V) over dot O(2)max with ag ing, exercise training imparts favorable adaptations in FC in individuals w ell into their seventh and eighth decades of life.