Effects of Walking Program Volume and Frequency on Blood Pressure and Functional Fitness in Elderly Women

Promoting physiological health of elderly by constant and regular exercise programs can provide integral health care. This study evaluated the effects of exercise volume, exercise intensity and frequency on blood pressure and functional fitness in elderly women participating in a 12-week exercise program. Sixty senior subjects (average age: 65.6 ± 3.3 years) with irregularly exercise volunteered to participate in this study. Subjects were assigned randomly into three groups (20 people in each group). The following items were measured before and after the program, evaluating at two distinct time points: one at baseline, and another after 12 weeks of walking program. Training include an 8-10 min warm up, 50-60 min of walking at an intensity corresponding to 50-70% and 75-90 heart rate maximum (HRmax), and end with an 8-10 min cool-down. The body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), Chair stand, 8 foot up and go and 6-min walk tests were significantly improved at high volume/vigorous intensity than at low volume/moderate intensity and low volume/ vigorous intensity. However, no significant differences were found in 8 foot up and go and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). In addition, there are the significantly positive correlation of chairs stand, arm curl, 8 foot up and go and 6-min walk, significantly negative correlation of BMI and SBP test on the exercise volume in elderly women. Thereby displaying exercise volume more than 24 km/wk of Produce benefits in elderly women. In order to improve functional fitness, an exercise frequency of at least three times a week should be recommended, with the exercise intensity more than 50-70% HRmax and exercise volume more than 24 km/wk of Produce benefits in elderly women. Thus, exercise training walking program promotes physical functions of the elderly women, but also resembles a basis for establishing an exercise prescription for them.

並列關鍵字

aerobic exercise ； elderly ； functional fitness ； intensity of exercise

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