Baseline functional oxygen uptake gain as a prognostic factor of center-based exercise responding in well-functioning older adults

BACKGROUND: Although the benefits of sustained exercise for cardiopulmonary health in older adults are well-established, it remains unclear which specific groups of older adults benefit most from exercise. AIM: We aimed to explore the relationship between baseline characteristics and peak oxygen uptake (peakVO2) improvements to identify potential exercise responders in older adults. DESIGN: This was single-arm pre-post cohort study of exercise intervention, with post hoc dichotomization by responses of peakVO2. SETTING: The study was conducted primarily at the geriatric rehabilitation clinic of Fuzhou University Affiliated Provincial Hospital. POPULATION: A total of 151 community-dwelling older adults with good functional status, with a mean age of 69 years. METHOD: All participants underwent individualized, center-based, multicomponent exercise under supervision. And collecting data on functional oxygen uptake gain (ΔVO2/ΔWR), peakVO2, physical function, and laboratory indicators at baseline, 1-year, and 2-year. Participants were divided into exercise responders (ER, >2.5 mL/kg/min in absolute change of peakVO2) and exercise non-responders (ENR, ≤2.5 mL/kg/min in absolute change of peakVO2). RESULTS: 151 and 91 participants were included in the 1-year and 2-year analysis, respectively. At baseline, the mean ΔVO2/ΔWR was 9.76±1.98 mL/min/W in ER and 11.26±1.50 mL/min/W in ENR, with a significant difference (P