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Int J Sports Med 2000; 21(7): 499-504
DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-7419
Training and Testing
Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Effect of Exercise Training on Physical Activity and Substrate Utilization in the Elderly

E. P. Meijer1 , K. R. Westerterp1 , F. T. J. Verstappen2
  • 1 Department of Human Biology, Maastricht University, The Netherlands
  • 2 Department of Movement Sciences, Maastricht University, The Netherlands
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Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2000 (online)

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This study examined the effect of training on physical activity and substrate utilization in the elderly. Before the start, in week 6 and week 12 (T0, T6 and T12) data on physical fitness, physical activity and substrate utilization were collected in the exercise (11 males, 11 females; 63 ± 8 yrs) and control group (6 males, 5 females; 59 ± 4 yrs). Physical activity was registered with a tri-axial accelerometer and substrate utilization was calculated from resting respiratory exchange ratio (RER) by indirect calorimetry. At T6 physical activity on training days was significantly higher than on non-training days (33.4 ± 10.3 vs. 26.5 ± 7.8 counts · min-1; p < 0.001). At T12, after adjusting for training activity, physical activity on training days was significantly lower than on non-training days (23.7 ± 8.4 vs. 28.2 ± 9.3 counts · min-1; p < 0.01). RER decreased significantly (0.02 ±0.03; p < 0.05), indicating a relatively larger fat oxidation. Changes in RER were negatively correlated with pre-training RER. In conclusion, in elderly an increase in structured training (exercise) is compensated for by a corresponding decrease in non-training physical activity. Training increased relative fat utilization in elderly with a high pre-training RER, whereas elderly with a low pre-training RER decreased their relative fat utilization.

Key words:

Tri-axial accelerometer, metabolic rate, physical fitness.

References

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 Erwin P. Meijer

Department of Human Biology Maastricht University

P.O. Box 616 6200 MD Maastricht The Netherlands

Phone: Phone:+ 31 (43) 3882115

Fax: Fax:+ 31 (43) 3670976

Email: E-mail:e.meijer@hb.unimaas.nl

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