Exercise workload of the "Fujisawa +10 Exercise" program in older women

The purpose of this study was to investigate the exercise intensity of the "Fujisawa +10 exercise" program in the elderly. Seven women (aged 65 to 75 yrs old) performed the newly developed exercise program in both standing and sitting conditions. Expired gas and heart rate were measured throughout the program, and participants quantified their effort using the rating of perceived exertion (RPE). The cardiorespiratory exercise responses while standing were 2.7 ± 0.3 METs (metabolic equivalents) and 88.0 ± 15.4 beats.min^-1. The responses to the program while sitting were 2.0 ± 0.3 METs and 80.2 ± 13.6 beats.min^-1. In addition, oxygen consumption (VO2 max) was 42.0 ± 9.1% mL.kg^-1.min^-1 in the standing position and 31.7 ± 8.7% in the sitting position. The subjects' RPE ranged from "very light" to "fairly light" during the exercise program under both conditions. In conclusion, the findings indicate that the exercises that comprise the "Fujisawa +10 exercise" program are of low intensity. The program should be easily applicable for introducing daily exercise habits in the elderly.