Effects of a 12-Week Recreational Skiing Program on Cardio-Pulmonary Fitness in the Elderly: Results from the Salzburg Skiing in the Elderly Study (SASES).

David Niederseer,Philipp Bohm,Christoph Gräni,Roman Walser,Josef Niebauer,Erich Müller,Christian Schmied,Flemming Dela

doi:10.3390/ijerph182111378

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate whether recreational alpine skiing in the elderly can improve cardio-pulmonary fitness. Design: Randomized controlled study with pre–post repeated measurements. Methods: A total of 48 elderly participants (60–76 years) were randomly assigned to either participate in a 12-week guided recreational skiing program (intervention group, IG, average of 28.5 ± 2.6 skiing days) or to continue a sedentary ski-free lifestyle (control group, CG). Cardio-pulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and pulmonary function testing were performed in both groups before (PRE) and after (POST) the intervention/control period to compare parameters PRE vs. POST CPET. Results: At baseline, IG and CG did not differ significantly with respect to CPET and pulmonary function parameters. At POST, several measures of maximal exercise capacity and breathing economy were significantly improved in IG as compared to CG: maximal oxygen capacity (IG: 33.8 ± 7.9; CG: 28.7 ± 5.9 mL/min/kg; p = 0.030), maximal carbon dioxide production (IG: 36.2 ± 7.7; CG: 31.8 ± 6.5 mL/min/kg; p = 0.05), maximal oxygen pulse (IG: 16.8 ± 4.2; CG: 13.2 ± 4 mL/heart beat; p = 0.010), maximal minute ventilation (IG: 96.8 ± 17.8; CG: 81.3 ± 21.9 l/min; p = 0.025), and maximal metabolic equivalent of task (METs, IG: 9.65 ± 2.26; CG: 8.19 ± 1.68 METs; p = 0.029). Except for oxygen pulse, these significant changes could also be observed at the anaerobic threshold. Maximal heart rate and pulmonary function parameters remained essentially unchanged. Conclusion: Regular recreational skiing improves cardio-pulmonary fitness along with breathing economy and thus can contribute to a heart-healthy lifestyle for the elderly.

Highlights

Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Cardio-pulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is used in medicine in general and in sports medicine as well as sports and exercise science in particular to assess and monitor cardio-pulmonary fitness and training in healthy subjects as well as in patients [1,2].Maximal oxygen capacity (VO2max ) is a frequently measured variable in clinical practice to quantify cardio-pulmonary exercise capacity and is often used as the primary outcome parameter in Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and/or exercise training studies [3,4]
No significant difference in CPET or pulmonary function data was found between groups except for a lower respiratory rate on maximal exertion (IG: 43.6 ± 7.6 vs. CG: 37.4 ± 5.2/min; p = 0.008)
We demonstrate that guided alpine skiing two to three times per week over the course of 12 weeks in otherwise sedentary elderly participants induced significant changes in the cardio-pulmonary system as assessed by CPET but not in pulmonary function

Summary

Introduction

Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Cardio-pulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is used in medicine in general and in sports medicine as well as sports and exercise science in particular to assess and monitor cardio-pulmonary fitness and training in healthy subjects as well as in patients [1,2].Maximal oxygen capacity (VO2max ) is a frequently measured variable in clinical practice to quantify cardio-pulmonary exercise capacity and is often used as the primary outcome parameter in CPET and/or exercise training studies [3,4].

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Conclusion