Exercise capacity in the elderly.

One of the primary manifestations of ageing is a reduced ability to respond to physiologic challenges. With aging, the ability to perform exercise and physical work declines and is reflected in the reduction in maximal oxygen consumption. Although this decline is influenced to some degree by the state of health and age, it seems that maintenance of regular physical activity significantly counteracts the loss of aerobic capacity. In healthy old age, the cardiovascular system is able to compensate for certain age-associated declines in cardiac function. A program of endurance training, even when begun in old age, can restore more youthful levels of physical fitness and results in tangible improvements in certain resting, submaximal and maximal indicators of exercise capacity. With comprehensive preexercise clinical screening, physical training can be conducted safely with minimal musculoskeletal problems in the aged. The long-term effects of exercise on morbidity, mortality and psychologic function in old age are unknown.