Walking with its training effects on the fitness and activity patterns of 79-91 year old females.

Abstract

Information is lacking about the physiological and psychosocial effects of exercise among very old persons. To investigate the effect of a twice-weekly, six-month progressive walking programme on 38 healthy women in their ninth decade, for evidence of the benefits of exercise. Aerobic fitness, blood pressure, skinfold thickness and habitual activity patterns were studied in a randomised controlled trial. Women were chosen, as this is a group of increasing demographic importance for which studies are lacking. The training group and control group were not significantly different at baseline. However, after six months of progressive exercise the training group showed lower resting (p < 0.05) and working (p < 0.005) heart rates compared with non-exercising controls. ANCOVA analyses indicated higher scores for the training group compared with the control group for Maximum Current Activity and Normative Impairment Index (both p < 0.001), which are both components of the Habitual Activity Profile. Morale also significantly improved within the training group (p < 0.01). These data show the trainability of very old women and the positive impact a low frequency, progressive exercise programme can have on cardiorespiratory fitness and daily living activity patterns. Such improvements are likely to be indicative of an enhanced outlook for independence.