Impact of short-term aerobic interval training on maximal exercise in sedentary aged subjects.

Background: Ageing is known to be associated with a decrease in peak oxygen consumption (VO_2peak) and maximal tolerated power (MTP). Regular physical exercise is the most appropriate to improve aerobic capacity, but its effect still remained discussed in old people. Design: The aim of this study was to determine whether a short interval training session would be associated with improvements in exercise efficiency in aged subjects in both genders. Methods: In all, 19 women and 16 men (65.4 ± 4.9 years) performed a cycle incremental exercise test before and after a 9-week period of aerobic interval training (twice a week, 30 min session where 6 × 4-min at the first ventilatory threshold alternated with 1-min at the second ventilatory threshold) with cycle ergometer. Minute ventilation (MV), O₂ uptake (VO₂) and CO₂ output (VCO₂) were measured breath-by-breath and by an open-circuit metabolic cart. Results: Before training, maximal values of MV (MMV), VO_2peak, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, MTP, blood lactate at MTP recovery and the power at the first (pVT₁) and second ventilatory thresholds (pVT₂) were higher in men compared with women. Nine weeks of interval training induced a significant increase in MMV, VO_2peak, MTP, pVT₁ and pVT₂ and decrease in systolic blood pressure in the same way in men than in women, without any significant effect on their maximal heart rate values. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the age-related declines in aerobic index are attenuated by a short exercise interval training sessions in women and men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]