Maximal heart rate during work in older men

Abstract

Nine 56–68-year-old male subjects performed muscular work up to maximal loads on a bicycle ergometer while breathing both ambient air and oxygen. Heart rate increased to an average maximum of 163/min. The maximal O2 intake averaged 2.24 l/min. and the blood lactic acid concentration 85 mg/100 ml. In no case was the maximal heart rate higher when breathing O2 than when breathing air. This low maximal heart rate in older people probably limits the capacity for O2 intake. Four subjects were able to work for about 1 hour without any sign of exhaustion on a work load requiring an O2 consumption of about 50% of their maximal aerobic work capacity. Submitted on October 3, 1958