Elderly lifestyle and tolerance of physical strain

In Lithuania and most European countries the population of elderly people is increasing rapidly, and this causes social, economical, medical and psychological problems. One of the most actual problems which influences activity and independence of elderly people is heart and vascular diseases. The purpose of work is to determine the changes in the heart contraction rate and arterial heart pressure during physical strain for testees of different physical fitness, as well as to evaluate their lifestyle. A testees’ contingent was comprised of 23 patients (10 men and 13 women) whose age differed from 48 to 74, an average age 60,74 ± 7,21, men 60,5 ± 5,84, women 60,92 ± 8,35. The testees were randomly selected in all of Lithuania. An attitude to healthy lifestyle was surveyed under a questionnaire method. Seeking to find out about the testees’ attitude to smoking, alcohol, nutrition, physical activity, rates for life quality, and hereditary diseases, a questionnaire was presented. A veloergometric research was carried out seeking to determine heart power and its reserves. Veloergometrics was performed in the veloergometrics room at the Cardiology Policlinics of Kaunas Medical University Clinics. It was performed applying a continuous and gradually increasing physical strain starting from 50 W and increasing by 50 W in 3 minute increments up to sub-maximal (85 percent maximal) heart contraction rate (HCR) or the symptoms of strain restriction. The testees were divided into 3 groups according to physical fitness: bad, satisfactory, and good. The results of research showed that the heart contraction rate during physical strain was increasing differently, and this increase depended on physical fitness. The heart contraction rate of 3-5 minute recovery failed to reach the baseline. The increase of testees’ arterial blood pressure (ABP) during physical strain was even, the reaction of ABP was normotonic, but after 6-7 minute recovery failed to reach the baseline. The testees’ health is satisfactory, the healthy lifestyle is important to them, but they are not prone to be physically active. Men have more bad habits than women, but women eat fast food more often. Women suffer from stress at work, while men are more satisfied with their life. Both men and women try to increase physical activity. An incidence of smoking does not belong on physical fitness. The testees with satisfactory physical fitness use more alcohol. Even the testees with good physical fitness think that their health is satisfactory, and all the testees claim that healthy lifestyle is very important. Only the testees with good physical fitness go in for sport in their free time, although the rest testees understand the importance of physical activity