Influence of age on physical performance, heart rate and systolic blood pressure response during exercise in apparently healthy women

Abstract

In order to assess normal physical performance in women, a near-maximal ergometer bicycle test was performed in 95 healthy non-athletic women aged 24-65 years (mean 44 years). The starting load was 50 W and the load was increased by 50 W every 4 min until exhaustion. Physical performance was expressed as cumulative work in Watts (W). All subjects had normal two-dimensional, M-Mode and Doppler echocardiographic findings. Physical performance was similar in the age groups 24-29, 30-39 and 40-49 years. Mean cumulative work among subjects <50 years was 1208 (600-1800) W vs. 947 (500-1600) W (p<0.001) in those 5=50 years. Physical performance was similar in the age groups 50-59 and 60-65 years (NS). An inverse correlation between maximal heart rate and age was found (r=0.64, p<0.001). Systolic blood pressure increased more during exercise in the subjects 5=50 years (p<0.001 vs. those aged <50 years). M-Mode echocardiographic measurements at rest were similar in all age groups. These findings may be related to reduction in 3-sympathetic stimulation during exercise in women 2=50 years of age.

Key Words:

• cumulative work
• echocardiography
• ergometer bicycle test
• healthy women