Age, sex, race, initial fitness, and response to training:: the HERITAGE Family Study

Effects of age, sex, race, and initial fitness on training responses of maximal O-2 uptake ((V) over dot O-2 max) are unclear. Data were available on 435 whites and 198 blacks (287 men and 346 women), aged 17-65 yr, before and after standardized cycle ergometer training. Individual responses varied widely, but (V) over dot O-2 max increased significantly for all groups. Responses by men and women and by blacks and whites of all ages varied widely. There was no sex difference for change (Delta) in (V) over dot O-2 max (ml . kg(-1) . min(-1)); women had lower initial values and greater relative (%) increases. Blacks began with lower values but had similar responses. Older subjects had a lower Delta but a similar percent change. Baseline (V) over dot O-2 max correlated nonsignificantly with Delta (V) over dot O-2 max but significantly with percent change. There were high, medium, and low responders in all age groups, both sexes, both races, and all levels of initial fitness. Age, sex, race, and initial fitness have little influence on (V) over dot O-2 max response to standardized training in a large heterogeneous sample of sedentary black and white men and women.