Cardiovascular Responses To Combined Elastic Tube And Walking Exercises

Abstract

Elastic tube exercise results in increased muscle size and strength. It is however not clear whether this type of exercise can enhance aerobic capacity. The combination of both tube exercise and walking exercise therefore could be one suggested strategy for improved both strength and aerobic capacity. The optimal exercise intensity, especially the walking portion, in order to elicit a improved aerobic capacity remains uncertain. PURPOSE: To investigate cardiorespiratory responses to combined tube and walking exercises in the elderly women between two walking intensities. METHODS: Twelve elderly women (60±2 yrs) were divided into two exercise groups: Low intensity exercise group (Low-Ex) and High intensity exercise group (High-Ex). The subjects performed a maximal walk exercise test to determine VO2max and HRmax. Both groups performed combined tube exercise and walking for about 30 min during which VO2 and HR were measured. Both groups spent 40 seconds on each of the nine resistance exercises. Between these resistance exercises, Low-Ex group performed 40 seconds walking on the treadmill at an exercise intensity of 55%VO2max, and 30 seconds walking at an exercise intensity of 75%VO2max for the High-Ex. After the exercise, %VO2R and %HRmax were calculated from the individual VO2 and HR values. Results are expressed as means and standard error for all variables. RESULTS: VO2max and HRmax in the maximal walk exercise test were, respectively, 1503±125 ml/min and 168±4 bpm for Low-Ex group, and 1390±86 ml/min and 171±2 bpm for High-Ex group. Mean VO2 and HR during combined exercise were 625±70 ml/min and 94±3 bpm for Low-Ex group, and 688±47 ml/min and 107±5 bpm for High-Ex group. %VO2R and %HRmax during combined exercise were 28.9±2.5%VO2R and 56.3±1.7%HRmax for Low-Ex group, and 40.1±1.9%VO2R and 62.6±2.5%HRmax for High-Ex group. High-Ex group showed a significantly greater %VO2R value compared to Low-Ex group. Low-Ex group reached the ACSM recommended minimum %HRmax value to improve aerobic capacity but not %VO2R. High-Ex group reached the recommended minimum values of both %HRmax and %VO2R. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that combined tube exercise and walking at relatively a high exercise intensity could be more effective to improve aerobic capacity than that using a low walking intensity.