Evaluation of the impact of aging on the functional capacity of active older adults

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate functional ability in older adults physically active. Methods: Twenty-four subjects, aged greater than 50 years old, physically active, completed two maximum exercise tests (ET), that were conducted in a range between two and ten years (mean of 4.013.74 years). The variables analyzed in both ET were oxygen uptake at peak exercise (VO2peak), peak heart rate (HRpeak) and body mass index (BMI). Results: There was no significant difference in the values of VO2peak, HRpeak and BMI between the first and second test, whose average interval between them was approximately four years. Moreover, there was no association between VO2peak and age (p>0.05). Conclusion: The functional capacity of individuals with more than 50 years, who exercised regularly, was maintained despite of the aging process.