Older persons
As the more health conscious “baby boom” generation gets older, it is assumed that there will be a more active older population, which is something of a paradox given the increased prevalence of diseases related to a sedentary lifestyle (hypokinetic diseases). There are more older persons exercising, illustrated by sporting movements/events such as ‘Masters’ athletics and ‘Golden Oldies’ rugby. There are now older age groupings in most sporting codes all growing in popularity. A physically inactive lifestyle is considered a greater risk to health than the ageing process – BUT inactivity is considered part of the paradigm of ageing in modern society. Inactivity makes large contribution to the physical and structural changes seen with ageing. The physiological, psychological and social benefits of exercise/sport for older people are much greater for older relative to younger people.
Exercise is an important part of ‘Positive’ & ‘Successful’ Ageing as exericse benefits all organ systems.
Physiologically, the maximal oxygen uptake declines by about 5ml.kg/min per decade from aged 25 to 65, with it accelerating after 65 . There is generally a decline of about 5-15% each decade. Maximal heart rate declines about 6-10 beats a minute per decade reduced cardiac output. A graded aerobic program has shown that the oxygen uptake of 65 year olds can be improved by as much as 10ml.kg/min over a 3 month period
Injury in the older athletes:
• Ageing results in many functional and structural changes to the body increased risk for injury – also less able to respond as well physiologically to the injury.
• More likely to have old injuries (eg traumatic knee injury) that are now causing problems due to current activity levels.
• more prone to problems due to degenerative changes
• all three phases of the response to injury (inflammatory, proliferative and remodelling) are detrimentally affected by the ageing process
• chronic achilles tendon and plantar fascia injuries can be a problem – possibly due to the relatively poor vascular supply to these tissues.
• Kannus et al (1989) showed that compared to younger athletes, the older athlete was more likely to injure the shoulder, achilles tendon and calf. More overuse injuries occurred in the older athletes compared to the younger athlete.
Risks of sports participation by older athletes:
musculoskeletal injury
increased heat production
decreased heat dissipation
blunted thirst response
impaired thermoregulation
precipitate acute myocardial infarction (those beginning an exercise program should undergo an extensive preparticipation screening, including an ECG)
increased use of prescription medicines physiological changes
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