Controlled Endurance Exercise Training and VO 2max Changes in Older Adults: A Meta‐Analysis
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This meta‐analysis of controlled clinical trials quantifies the effect of aerobic exercise on VO 2max (aerobic fitness) among sedentary older adults and examines the associations of such magnitude with variables of intervention. Forty‐one trials including 2102 older subjects (within‐group mean age of 60 years and older) were identified by searches of databases, hand searching, and cross‐referencing. Outcomes were homogeneous. The pooled standardized effect size by a fixed‐effect model showed a higher moderate effect (mean ± SEM) of 0.64±0.05; 95% confidence interval, 0.56–0.73; p<0.001, representing a net increase in VO 2max (mean ± SEM) of 3.78±0.28 mL · kg −1 · min −1 ; 95% confidence interval, 3.24–4.33; or a 16.3% improvement, compared with control groups. Greater improvement in Vo 2max was associated with training length more than 20 weeks and training intensity of approximately 60% but less than 70% of VO 2max . Endurance training improves aerobic fitness in older adults, thus providing protective benefits for cardiovascular aging and quality of later life.
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Numerous subsequent studies have demonstrated up to 25% increases in peak VO2 in previously sedentary healthy adults through the ninth decade, similar to improvements in younger adults.
“numerous subsequent studies have demonstrated up to 25% increases in peak V˙o2 in previously sedentary healthy adults through the ninth decade, similar to improvements found in younger adults.143–145”
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- Authors
- Huang, G., Gibson, C. A., Tran, Z. V., & Osness, W. H.
- Affiliations
- University of Southern Indiana (US)
- University of Kansas Medical Center (US)
- University of Kansas (US)
- Corresponding author
- Huang, Guoyuan
- Venue
- Preventive Cardiology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2005-09
- Volume
- 8
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 217-225
- ISSN
- 1520-037X (ISSN-L)
- 1751-7141
- OpenAlex
- W2028553854
- Cited by
- 161
- References
- 58
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 0.62
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Preventive Cardiology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Exercise and Physiological Responses
- Keywords
- endurance training, aerobic exercise, VO2max, cardiorespiratory fitness, older adults, sedentary aging, exercise intensity, training duration, cardiovascular aging, quality of life
- MeSH terms
- Humans, Middle Aged, Oxygen Consumption, Physical Fitness, Quality of Life, Exercise, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
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