Effects of a 12-Week Recreational Skiing Program on Cardio-Pulmonary Fitness in the Elderly: Results from the Salzburg Skiing in the Elderly Study (SASES)

David Niederseer, Roman Walser, Christian Schmied, Flemming Dela, Christoph Gräni, Philipp Bohm, Erich Müller and Josef Niebauer
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David Niederseer: Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
Roman Walser: Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
Christian Schmied: Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
Flemming Dela: Department of Geriatrics, Bispebjerg-Frederiksberg University Hospital, DK-2400NV Copenhagen, Denmark
Christoph Gräni: Department of Cardiology, Bern University Hospital, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
Philipp Bohm: Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
Erich Müller: Department of Sport Science and Kinesiology, University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Josef Niebauer: Institute of Sports Medicine, Prevention and Rehabilitation, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 21, 1-10

Abstract: Objectives: To investigate whether recreational alpine skiing in the elderly can improve cardio-pulmonary fitness. Design: Randomized controlled study with pre–post repeated measurements. Methods: A total of 48 elderly participants (60–76 years) were randomly assigned to either participate in a 12-week guided recreational skiing program (intervention group, IG, average of 28.5 ± 2.6 skiing days) or to continue a sedentary ski-free lifestyle (control group, CG). Cardio-pulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and pulmonary function testing were performed in both groups before (PRE) and after (POST) the intervention/control period to compare parameters PRE vs. POST CPET. Results: At baseline, IG and CG did not differ significantly with respect to CPET and pulmonary function parameters. At POST, several measures of maximal exercise capacity and breathing economy were significantly improved in IG as compared to CG: maximal oxygen capacity (IG: 33.8 ± 7.9; CG: 28.7 ± 5.9 mL/min/kg; p = 0.030), maximal carbon dioxide production (IG: 36.2 ± 7.7; CG: 31.8 ± 6.5 mL/min/kg; p = 0.05), maximal oxygen pulse (IG: 16.8 ± 4.2; CG: 13.2 ± 4 mL/heart beat; p = 0.010), maximal minute ventilation (IG: 96.8 ± 17.8; CG: 81.3 ± 21.9 l/min; p = 0.025), and maximal metabolic equivalent of task (METs, IG: 9.65 ± 2.26; CG: 8.19 ± 1.68 METs; p = 0.029). Except for oxygen pulse, these significant changes could also be observed at the anaerobic threshold. Maximal heart rate and pulmonary function parameters remained essentially unchanged. Conclusion: Regular recreational skiing improves cardio-pulmonary fitness along with breathing economy and thus can contribute to a heart-healthy lifestyle for the elderly.

Keywords: cardio-pulmonary exercise testing; spirometry; ski; high altitude; elderly; training program (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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