Rehabilitation Physiology Lab: Recent Publications

Fisher NM, DR Pendergast. Improved cardiac output after exercise in the head-down tilt position in elderly subjects. Gerontologist 39 Special Issue I:466, 1999.

Elderly subjects have depressed oxygen transport (VO2) resulting, in part, from reduced cardiac function. Exercise training can increase cardiac function, however, older subjects may not exercise intensely enough. In the head-down tilt position (HDT), cardiac output (CO) is increased at rest and exercise. This study examined the effects of exercise training (3x/wk, for 1 hr, for 8 wks) in the HDT in 8 men and 8 women over 70 years. VO2, ECG, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP,DBP), and CO were measured, and pulse and mean pressure (PP,MAP) and stroke volume (SV) calculated during a maximal cycle ergometer test (50 rpm, 0.5 Kp increments every 2 min) in the erect and HDT positions pre and post training. At rest erect, CO (9%), SV (8%), DBP (6%) increased while SBP decreased (8%). At rest HDT, CO was unchanged, but SV (6%), SBP (6%), PP (5%), MAP (6%) were increased after training. During sub-max exercise, SV was elevated (6-9%) and the slope CO/VO2 was greater. The max work-rate increased 25 W, VO2 by 8 and 15%, CO by 5 and 12%, and SV by 6 and 9% in erect and HDT, respectively. Improved cardiac output and oxygen transport resulted from exercise training in the head-down tilt position in male and female subjects over the age of 70 years.

OTHER ABSTRACTS

Perini R, NM Fisher, A Veicsteinas, DR Pendergast. Aerobic Training and Cardiovascular Responses at Rest and during Exercise in Older Men and Women. Med Sci Sports Exerc 34:700-708, 2002.

Pendergast DR, NM Fisher and E Calkins. Cardiovascular, neuromuscular, and metabolic alterations with age leading to frailty . J Gerontol: Biol Sci 48(Special Issue):61-67, 1993.

Perini R, S Milesi, NM Fisher, DR Pendergast, A Veicsteinas. Heart Rate Variability during Dynamic Exercise in Elderly Males and Females. Eur J Appl Physiol 82(1-2):8-15, 2000.

Fisher NM, DR Pendergast and E Calkins. Maximal Isometric Torque of Knee Extension as a Function of Muscle Length in Subjects of Advancing age. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 71(10):729-734, 1990.

Fisher NM, DR Pendergast and E Calkins. Muscle Rehabilitation in Impaired Elderly Nursing Home Residents. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 72(3):181-185, 1991.

Pendergast DR, E Calkins, NM Fisher and R Vickers. Muscle Rehabilitation in Nursing Home Residents with Cognitive Impairment: a Pilot Study. Am J Alzheimer Care Rel Dis July/August:: 20-25, 1987.