Thirty-three years of aerobic exercise adherence

The data to be summarized in this report is based on a research study carri ed out with fifteen men who were 45 years of age at the outset and followed for 25-33 years while performing aerobic exercise. The duration of exercis e ranged from 61-70 minutes at 77-84% of heart rate reserve. Loss of (V) ov er dot O-2max was 0.30 and 0.27 ml.min(-1).kg(-1).yr(-1) or 6.8% and 5.8% p er decade. Adherence in this sample was 100%, and some possible explanation s for this extraordinary adherence might be (a) leadership, (b) record keep ing, (c) oral and written evaluations and progress reports, (d) early age i nterest in sports and exercise, (e) emphasis on health, (f) physician refer ral, (g) university-based program, (h) national interest in heart disease p revention at the outset of the study, and (i) periodic social functions suc h as pot-luck dinners for the exercise group and spouses.