Effect of exercise training on total daily physical activity in elderly humans

Abstract

This study examined the effect of 12 weeks of exercise training on daily physical activity in elderly humans. Training consisted of a weekly group session and an individual session with cardio- and weight-stack machines. A group of 15 subjects served as the exercise group [EXER mean age 59 (SD 4) years], and 7 subjects as the controls [CONT mean age 57 (SD 3) years]. Physical activity and physical fitness were measured before the start of training (T), at week 6 and week 12 (T0, T6, T12 respectively) in EXER, and at T0 and T12 in CONT. Physical activity over 14 days was measured using a tri-axial accelerometer and physical fitness was measured during an incremental exercise test. At T12, mean maximal power output had significantly increased in EXER compared to CONT 8 (SD 12) vs -5 (SD 9) W; P < 0.02] and mean submaximal heart rate (at 100 W) had reduced [-10 (SD 7) vs -2 (SD 6) beats x min(-1); P < 0.05]. No differences or changes in physical activity were observed between EXER and CONT. At T6, physical activity on training days was significantly higher than on non-training days (P < 0.001). When the accelerometer output of the training session was subtracted from the accelerometer output on training days, at T12 non-training physical activity was significantly lower than on non-training days (P < 0.004). Accelerometer output of the individual training session at T12 had significantly increased compared to T6 (P < 0.05), whereas, accelerometer output of the group training session had remained unchanged. In conclusion, in elderly subjects an exercise training programme of moderate intensity resulted in an improved physical fitness but had no effect on total daily physical activity. Training activity was compensated for by a decrease in non-training physical activity.

Physical inactivity as a determinant of the physical activity level in the elderly

“…Goran and Poehlman 4 speculated that the level of exercise, 3 haweek at 85% VO 2max, was too vigorous and thus fatigued the elderly participants during the remainder of the day. Recently, however, we 5 showed the same compensatory effect of exercise training on nontraining physical activity in elderly subjects, with a training program of only moderate intensity ( $ 40% VO 2max ). It was shown that elderly subjects anticipate the training program by lowering their physical activity even before the exercise training session.…”

“…4,5,13 These studies demonstrated that exercise training in an elderly population results in a compensatory decline of non-training physical activity. Morio et al 13 measured the effect of training on non-training physical activity by using 7 day activity recordings.…”

“…Recently, we 5 showed that elderly subjects anticipate a training program by lowering their physical activity even before the training session. The training program, two times one hour per week, was of moderate intensity ( $ 40% VO 2max ).…”

Physical activity assessment with accelerometers

“…Again, training induced an increase in AEE and Tracmor output showed no effect of exercise on non-training physical activity. However Meijer et al, 26 examining with Tracmor 2 the effect of a 12-week training program of moderate intensity in Physical activity assessment with accelerometers KR Westerterp elderly subjects, observed an increase in physical activity on training days, which was compensated with a decrease in physical activity on non-training days. Thus, the effect of exercise training on nontraining physical activity seems to be age dependent.…”

Effects of a Physical Activity Intervention Program on Nutritional Status and Health-Related Physical Fitness in Thai Older Adults: Pilot Study

“…Moreover, aging is frequently associated with a decrease in physical activity levels and consequently a decline in physical fitness, which may contribute to the development of coronary heart disease, heart attacks, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, osteoporosis and bone fractures and different kinds of cancer (3,4). United States department of health and human services refers that the promotion of regular and daily physical activity is a good strategy to prevent the onset of age-related diseases and disabilities and the risk of many adverse health outcomes and disability conditions (5).…”