Ten-year echo/doppler determination of the benefits of aerobic exercise after the age of 65 years.

As the human lifespan becomes progressively extended, potential health-related effects of intense aerobic exercise after age 65 need evaluation. This study evaluates the cardiovascular (CV), pulmonary, and metabolic effects of competitive distance running on age-related deterioration in men between 69 (+/-3) and 77 (+/-2) years (mean +/- SD). Twelve elderly competitive distance runners (ER) underwent oxygen consumption and echo/Doppler treadmill stress testing (Balke protocol) for up to 10 years.

Brachial arterial dynamics during staged lower extremity exercise: utility and comparison in physically active versus sedentary subjects.

Constriction and relaxation of peripheral conduit arteries in response to exercise and recovery are amenable to noninvasive imaging. Diameter changes in the brachial artery during stationary bicycle pedaling are paradoxical to those in the lower extremities. When exercise is confined to the legs, arteries in the upper extremities constrict while leg arteries dilate.

Cardiopulmonary and Cardiovascular Physiology in Elderly Competitive Endurance Athletes.

Thirteen elderly male high intensity endurance athletes and 12 healthy age matched nonathletes were evaluated to determine differences in their cardiovascular physiology. Contrary to several pervious reports, this study did not demonstrate superiority of left ventricular (LV) systolic or diastolic function in athletes compared with controls, either at rest or immediately following exercise. Fasting serum lipids failed to demonstrate a favorable cholesterol profile in the athletes compared to inactive controls.