Effect of Rowing for Older Men in Aspects of Muscular Size, Explosive and Aerobic Power

Abstract

1396 The age related decline of body functions restricts daily physical activities. It has been recommended for older people to perform aerobic exercise and resistance training. Because rowing is an aerobic exercise using most muscles in the whole body, it is likely to maintain or enhance muscular size, explosive power and aerobic power simultaneously. PURPOSE: To examine effects of rowing on such body structure and body functions of older men. METHODS: Twelve older oarsmen [ROW: age 64.8 ± 2.8 years, height 171.9 ± 3.4 cm, body mass 71.7 ± 4.7 kg] and eleven healthy older men [CONT: age 65.5 ± 3.6 years, height 173.9 ± 4.8 cm, body mass 70.5 ± 9.4 kg] participated. Muscle cross sectional areas (CSAs) of thigh, upper arm and lower back were measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique. Maximal bilateral leg extension power was measured as an indication of explosive power. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) was determined by progressive rowing test on a rowing ergometer. Maximal aerobic power was calculated by linear regression of rowing power on oxygen uptake. RESULTS: All examined variables of ROW were significantly larger than those of CONT (p<0.05) in aspects of muscle CSAs of thigh(165.0 ± 17.0 vs. 147.8 ± 16.6 cm2), upper arm(44.7 ± 7.1 vs. 38.9 ± 4.1 cm2), lower back(50.3 ± 7.5 vs. 42.8 ± 5.3 cm2), explosive power(1622 ± 241 vs. 1426 ± 189 W), VO2max(2.68 ± 0.36 vs. 2.27 ± 0.35 l/min) and maximal aerobic power(192.7 ± 30.0 vs. 163.9 ± 26.8 W). CONCLUSION: The results suggested that rowing prevents age related decline of muscular size, explosive and aerobic power. Supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (No. 13680077) and the Foundation for Comprehensive Research on Aging and Health of the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare.