World Journal of Sport Sciences 5 (3): 149-157, 2011 ISSN 2078-4724 © IDOSI Publications, 2011 Corresponding Author: Maryam Nourshahi , Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, G.C, Evin, Tehran, Iran. 149 Effects of Mountaineering on Physical Fitness and Quality of Life in Aged People Maryam Nourshahi, Behrouz Abdoli, Asal Rajaeian, Hiwa Rahmani, Hadi Zahedi, Tahereh Arefirad, Maryam Kaviyani Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, G.C,.Evin, Tehran, Iran Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of mountaineering on older age’s cardiovascular and physical fitness factors and quality of life factors. Forty three healthy elderly men (age 57.7 9.3) were ± randomly selected through questionnaires that had been distributed in the parks of northern of Tehran. According to their activeness and type of activity, subjects divided into three groups of Mountaineer (n = 15), Trained (n = 14) and Sedentary (n = 14). Then their cardio-vascular and physical fitness factors were measured. Quality of life (questionnaire), cardio-vascular and physical fitness factors (lab test) was measured. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Also the multivariate analysis of variances (MANOVA) was used to analyzing quality of life data. The results showed that aerobic capacity was significantly higher (P#0.01) in mountaineer group in comparison to two other groups (37.2 and 15.4% respectively). In addition, resting heart rate, fat mass percent and reaction time were significantly lower in two trained groups in comparison to sedentary group (p# 0.05). Also there was significantly difference between three groups according to total quality of life score. In other factors there were not significant differences between groups (p#0.05). Results showed that mountaineering led to positive effects on cardiovascular factors. It is recommended to pay attention to importance and favorites of recreational mountaineer, plan regular mountaineering as a daily program. Key words: Mountaineer % Trained % Sedentary % Cardiovascular % Physical Fitness % Aging INTRODUCTION The human life is under the influence of different The process of aging is unavoidable and natural lifestyle. The lack of enough physical activity is the which affects all the physiological and psychological outcome of modern life that accelerates the process of aspects of human [1]. Aging is not just the passing of aging and double physical, psycho, economic and social time, but it is the happening of some biological processes problems [1-3]. The result of Ghafouri et al. [6] on Iranian [2]. This happens during lifetime that led to decreasing of people showed that 60.40% of 15-19 year old participated biologic potential progressively. On the other hand, the in sport one or more session per week but just 9.30% of increasing quality of life and improving of health care 60-64 years old do this. Along with decreasing physical activities lead to increasing of hope to life, changing of activity, changing in diet program and increasing mental age pyramid and increasing the rate of the elderly in the tension, remarkable increase in rate of cardiovascular society. Researchers have showed that in 2000 near 13% complication and related death had been shown. Physical of people in the entire world were over 65 years' old. And fitness is the ability of the body for working efficiently 18% of those were over 84 year, also it was anticipated which involve the physical fitness in relation to health that this percentage will increase to 20% till 2040. In 1994, and skills. These two have different parts and each part world health organization reported that factors like play some role in life[4]. In order to investigate the rate of physical health, regular exercise, proper nutrition, social decreasing physiological capacity with aging, different welfare, income, education and entertainments are main researches have been conducted on the various factors of requirement of aged people [3]. physical fitness. Faulkner et al. [8-11] and some other elements such as heredity, environment, hygiene and the