Rowing as an aerobic and resistance exercise for elderly people

Abstract

Aerobic and resistance exercises are recommended for elderly people to help maintain their health. Rowing involves almost all of the muscles in the body and may have elements of both aerobic and resistance exercise. Rowing and indoor rowing exercise using ergometers have been widely used among elderly adults and young individuals worldwide. Because rowing is practiced on a seat, less impact is placed upon the knee joints, making it safe for elderly people. It has been reported that elderly male rowers have higher aerobic capacity, greater muscle mass in the thigh and trunk, and a lower risk of atherosclerosis than age-matched sedentary men. In the authors' recent study, untrained elderly men participated in a 6-month rowing exercise training using a rowing ergometer; and the results indicated that the training increased the participants' aerobic capacity and muscle size, decreased their visceral fat, and improved their atherogenic index. Rowing exercise training, which offers combined aerobic and resistance training, does not unfavorably affect arterial stiffness or compliance, although resistance training alone induces arterial stiffening. Rowing exercise has both aerobic and resistance exercise health benefits in elderly people.