Age and muscle function : impact of aerobic exercise

The purpose of this investigation was to comprehensively examine the influence of progressive aerobic exercise training on whole muscle size and function in older women (65-80 yr). Three sedentary, healthy, females (66±1 yrs, 167±2 cm, 70±7 kg) performed 12 weeks of supervised progressive cycle training (42 training sessions 3-4 sessions/week up to 80% HRR). Subjects were tested before and after training for maximum aerobic capacity (VO2max), quadriceps cross sectional area (CSA), whole muscle specific tension, concentric 1-RM, maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), and concentric peak power (wafts). On average, the three subjects improved VO2max (34%), quadriceps CSA (10%), MVC (37%), whole muscle specific tension (25%), and concentric peak power (19%). These positive changes indicate that aerobic exercise may positively influence muscle size and function in the elderly.School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise ScienceThesis (M.S.