Longitudinal evaluation of an exercise prescription intervention program with periodic ergometric testing: a ten-year appraisal.

The purpose of this investigation was to identify the longitudinal physiological and cardiological changes that occurred in a sample of male NASA executives who participated in an individualized physical conditioning program for 10 years. Only 19% discontinued program participation. Oxygen uptake increased significatnly during the 10 years and the increase was attributed to those who exercised three or more days per week. Serum cholesterol exhibited an upward trend similar to the trend reported in the Framingham population, but systolic blood pressure decreased with age. About 30% of the executives exhibited cardiac arrhythmias during exercise. The incidence of PVCs and PACs increased with age. During the period studied, five executives developed sudden acute myocardial symptomatology which was not detected by the exercise stress test.