Metabolic and Cardiovascular Response to Shallow Water Exercise in Young and Older Women.

CAMPBELL, J. A., L. J. D’ACQUISTO, D. M. D’ACQUISTO, and M. G. CLINE. Metabolic and Cardiovascular Response to Shallow Water Exercise in Young and Older Women. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 35, No. 4, pp. 675–681, 2003. The purpose of this study was to compare the metabolic and cardiovascular responses of young (Y) and older (O) women ages 19–24 yr (N = 11) and 63–72 yr (N = 11), respectively, while performing shallow water exercise (SWE). Resting metabolic rate was determined as was the metabolic (indirect calorimetry) and heart rate (Polar monitor) responses to five submaximal and one maximal SWE bout, and to a 40-min SWE class. 1) One metabolic equivalent (MET) equaled (mean ± SE) 3.3 ± 0.2 mL O2·min−1·kg−1 (Y) and 2.8 ± 0.1 mL O2·min−1·kg−1 (O) (P 0.05); the overall relative intensity (% METpeak) was greater for the O group (61.5 ± 2.5 vs 48.8 ± 2.2) (P < 0.05). SWE elicited metabolic and cardiovascular responses that met ACSM’s guidelines for establishing health benefits. Furthermore, older females may self-select a greater relative exercise intensity during SWE compared with younger counterparts when provided with the same verbal instructions and encouragement.