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Exercise Training and the Speed of Self-Selected Walking Pace in Men at Retirement

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

D. A. Cunningham
Affiliation:
University of Western Ontario
P. A. Rechnitzer
Affiliation:
University of Western Ontario
A. P. Donner
Affiliation:
University of Western Ontario

Abstract

An intervention trial with regular physical activity was carried out to test the hypothesis that walking speed is related to the level of cardiovascular fitness (maximal oxygen uptake). Earlier research has demonstrated that when VO2 max is held constant in a multiple regression analysis the association between walking speed and age (29–65 y) is eliminated. To describe the association between self-selected speeds of walking, and level of cardiovascular fitness, 63 men age 60 to 65 were studied before and after a 1 year program of exercise training. VO2 max was determined on a motor driven treadmill. A test of self-selected walking pace was administered over a 240 m indoor course. The men were asked to walk at 3 paces considered by the subjects to be rather slow, normal, and fast, respectively. They were randomly assigned with stratification for white and blue collar occupation to a program of exercise training (n = 33) or control (n = 27). The training program consisted of walking or jogging for 30 min three times per week for one year. After the training program the exercise group increased their VO2 max (9.5%) and their normal walking speed (1.29 to 1.43 m.s−1) significantly compared to the controls. A program of exercise endurance training will result in an increase in the speed of self-selected pace.

Résumé

Un essai d'intervention à l'aide d'une activité physique régulière a été entrepris en vue de vérifier l'hypothèse selon laquelle la vitesse de déplacement en marche (allure) est en rapport avec l'état dusystème cardiovasculaire (maximum d'oxygène absorbé). Des recherches antérieures ont démontré que lorsque le VO2 max est maintenu constant dans l'analyse de la régression multiple, le rapport entre l'allure et l'âge (20 à 65 ans) se trouve éliminé. En vue de décrire le rapport entre l'allure choisie et l'état du système cardiovasculaire, 63 hommes âgés de 60 à 65 ans ont été étudiés avant et après un entraînement d'un an. Le VO2max a été déterminé à l'aide d'un tapis roulant électrique. Un test d'allure a été administré dans une enceinte intérieure sur une distance de 240 m. Les hommes ont été priés d'adopter trois pas qu'ils considéraient respectivement comme lent, normal, et rapide. Les sujets répartis en «cols bleus» et «cols blancs» ont été assignés de façon aléatoire au groupe d'entrainement (n = 33) ou au groupe témoin (n = 27). L'entraînement a consisté à marcher ou à courir 30 minutes trois fois par semaine pendant un an. À la suite de l'entraínement, le groupe entraíné avaient augmenté son VO2 max (9,5%) et son allure normale (de 1,20 à 1,43 m/s−1) dans une proportion significative par rapport au groupe témoin. On conclut qu'un programme d'exercices d'endurance produit une augmentation de l'allure choisie au cours de la marche.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1986

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