| The aim of this study was to examine the effects of aging on perceived
exertion (PE) and perceived arm pain (PaP) at the end of a maximal
graded arm test in 70- to 80-year -old women. Twelve healthy young
(mean age 22.9 ± 3.3 years), and 12 healthy elderly (mean age
74.6 ± 3.7 years) women performed a maximal graded test (GXT)
on an arm crank ergometer until exhaustion. The results revealed no
significant difference between both groups concerning PE (p > 0.05;
Effect Size = 0.62) and when heart rate (HR) was expressed as a theoretical
maximal heart rate (THRmax) (p > 0.05; Effect Size = 0.17). Nevertheless,
PaP was significantly lower (p < 0.05; Effect Size = 2.95) in the
elderly compared to the young group. In conclusion, these results
suggest that, at the end of GXT, PE is not influenced, whereas PaP
may be altered by aging of the women tested in the present study.
Therefore, it appears difficult to use PaP in these elderly women
to regulate exercise intensity during a training program.
KEY
WORDS: CR 10, elderly, pain, exercise.
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