TITLE:
Walking and Aerobic Capacity in Old Adults after Concentric and Eccentric Endurance Exercise at Self-Selected Intensities
AUTHORS:
Mandy L. Gault, Mark E. T. Willems
KEYWORDS:
Ageing; Concentric Endurance Exercise; Eccentric Endurance Exercise; Self-Selected Intensity; Aerobic Capacity
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.6 No.8,
March
21,
2014
ABSTRACT: Self-selected exercise intensity can be a useful exercise prescription tool for older adults; however, it is not known if it can elicit improvements in walking and aerobic capacity. In older adults, effects of concentric or eccentric endurance exercise at self-selected walking speed were examined on 1-mile indoor walk performance, predicted maximum oxygen uptake and physiological parameters. Twenty-four older adults (67 ± 4 years) completed 3 × 30 min treadmill walks per week for 12-weeks on level (LTW, n = 11, 0%) or downhill (DTW, n = 13, ﹣10%) treadmill gradient at a self- selected speed, which progressed every 4 weeks. Maximal oxygen uptake was predicted using a 1-mile walk at 4-week intervals with physiological responses recorded using a portable metabolic system. One-mile walking speed increased from baseline following 8- and 12-weeks (12 weeks: LTW: 13% ± 6%, DTW: 14% ± 9%, P