Determinants of the training response in elderly men

As part of a prospective randomized trial of the effect of regular exercise in older men, factors determining the magnitude of V0_2max increase observed with endurance training were examined in 88 elderly [age 62.9 ± 3.0 (SD) yr] males. V0_2max before and after training was recorded as the highest V0₂ observed during two incremental treadmill tests. One year of thrice weekly training sessions increased V0_2max (12%, P<0.05) in the training group relative to baseline and to a control group (n=100). The association between the post-training V0_2max (V0_2max, T₂) and the following explanatory variables was assessed using multiple regression analysis: the initial V0_2max (V0_2max T₁); the reason for stopping the initial treadmill test; leisure time activity during the year previous to the study; the training intensity (speed of walking or running, pulse rate during training, and percentage of heart rate reserve); pulmonary function (forced expiratory volume in 1 s); adiposity (skinfold thickness at 8 sites) and frequency of training. V0_2maxT₁, speed of walking or running during training, reason for stopping the treadmill test, and skinfold thickness were significantly related to post-training V0_2max. The intensity and frequency of the training stimulus explained over 10% of the variance in the training effect. Subjects whose test was halted because of fatigue increased V0_2max more than those whose test was discontinued for medical or other reasons, even when speed of running was held constant. Previous activity had only a weak effect on training response. The total variance explained by these independent variables was 62%.