rdtompki

One of our local clubs had sent out a notice several months ago stating that some researchers were looking for 60+ y/o who exercise regularly to participate in a study (of the effect of exercise on cardio-vascular health in the "aged"). I volunteered and finally went in today for the battery of tests. Tests including a blood workup, two different types of EKG, sub-maximal VO2, echo imaging of every artery they could image and echo-cardiogram during fairly intense exercise. If anyone ever gets an opportunity to participate in such a study I would definitely recommend doing so. Men normally wait until something breaks, but it's amazing what they can learn about your body non-invasively.

overthehillmedi

so are you alive?

B. Carfree

Some friends and I used to volunteer at the medical school I worked at as test patients for first year med. students to practice their nascent clinical skills on. Most of us were just given a role to play with a set of symptoms and a life history. However, one friend volunteered for a digital prostate exam. He got extra pay, but it wasn't worth it. One colleague decided to expand his life by donating blood marrow...four times. Since he was an oncologist he felt he needed to set a good example by donating to anyone who matched. He's a good man who is currently the dean of the med. school.

zonatandem

18 years ago I participated in a similar study at the University of Arizona.
To top it off, was paid $15 an hour for my 'volunteering!'

Retro Grouch 

[QUOTE=rdtompki;12167801Men normally wait until something breaks.[/QUOTE]

Yup. My rule of thumb is there are three reasons for going to see a doctor: can't work, can't have sex, can't ride my bicycle.

rdtompki

Yes, "he" lives. 95th percentile on their age 22-80 y/o test subjects in the sub-maximal VO2, no plaque on any of the arteries (femoral, aorta, carotid and elsewhere. They don't get a direct image of the heart's arteries because of the motion, but doc said they looked fine. Whatever catches up with me it's not too likely to be cardio-vascular in nature. I told the docs I had been pretty inactive for the 20 years between my running and cycling days and he said there is a notion of long term "memory" in the cardio-vascular system, but it's unproven. Any exercise is certainly better than nothing, but my personal view is that intensity is important to obtaining maximum benefit; that's my story and I'm sticky to it.

leob1

I would add: springing a serious leak, and limbs bend the wrong way(both may be caused by riding a bike).

az_cyclist

Sounds like an inexpensive way to guage your V02 max.

gracehowler

Great opportunity!
R&J