Effects of six weeks of detraining on retention of functional fitness of old people

Objectives: To examine the effects of age on functional fitness after six weeks of detraining. Methods: Elderly subjects, aged 60-86 years, completed a nine week multicomponent exercise training programme. They performed the senior fitness test every two weeks during the six week detraining period, and the responses of 12 young-old subjects (YO, aged 60-73 years) and nine older subjects (O, aged 74-86 years) were compared. Results: Functional fitness improved during the exercise training period. Performances in the chair stand and six minute walk for the O group had significantly declined compared with post-training values after two weeks of detraining (p