| Abstract [eng] |
Physical activity can help maintain quality of life, health and physical functions and reduce the various negative health consequences for the older adults (Roberts, Phillips, Cooper et. al., 2017). To measure human physical activity, there are a number of methods that are divided into different groups accordingly (Hakala, Rintala, Immonen, 2017). One of the methods is to monitor heart rate by assessing the energy consumption of physical activity on the assumption that there is a linear relationship between heart rate and oxygen consumption (Janoniene, Sobutiene, Valinteliene, 2014). The autonomic nervous system exerts a huge influence on cardiovascular function, and aging is associated with a decrease in the autonomous regulation of the heart, regardless of physical capacity. Although at rest, the heart rate does not change substantially with age, the ability of the heart to increase the rate of contractions, responding to both submaximum and maximum exertion, decreases (Šarkauskiene, 2019). Goal. Examine the cardiovascular response of older people to physical exertion. Tasks. Conduct a theoretical analysis of physical activity in older adults. Investigate and evaluate changes in the heart rate of older adults in different physical activities. Examine and evaluate individual cardiovascular reactions in older adults to different physical exertion. Organisation of the study. The study was conducted in February 2020 at Klaipėda University. The subjects were third-century university listeners involved in the project "Forever Young 65+". The "Polar M400" measured heart rate individually for each subject during physical activity. Conclusions. In an analysis and evaluation of changes in the heart rate of older adults in different physical activities, the mean heart rate increased by 7.05 k/min during exercise and the maximum heart rate of 17.71 k/ min was exponentially elevated during each exercise, this indicated that the intensity of the sessions was gradually increased. During the dance, the average heart rate decreased by 7.89 k/min in the final result and a maximum by 11.20 k/min. It can be assumed that seniors gradually become get used to the intensity of dance. Friedman's test results did not reveal statistically significant differences between the mean and maximum heart rate in the different activitys. An analysis and evaluation of the individual characteristics of cardiovascular reactions in older people to different physical exertion showed that the recorded heart rate in the most common sessions was consistent with the general physical intensity recommendation 50-75%. More than half of the study participants exceeded their maximum heart rate during their activities, therefore, in order not to harm your health, it is appropriate to monitor the heart rate on a continuous basis during physical activities. |
