Ten totally blind students, 16 to 22 years of age (=17.7) were trained on bicycle ergometer exercise at a lower intensity, which corresponded to 48.4% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) and 127 beats/min or 65.6% of maximal heart rate, respectively. Training was undertaken 3 times per week and was maintained 60 minutes per session. Submaximal and maximal ergometer exercise were made before and after 6 weeks' training. After training, mean value of aerobic work capacity, i.e., VO₂max, 1,102max/wt, and maximal minute ventilation increased significantly by 18.0%, and 14%, respectively. Significant increase were also noted in PWC₁₂₀ (42.5%), PWC₁₅₀ (31.9%), and PWC₁₇₀ (26.3%). Maximal heart rate, however, did not change. Measurement of agility of lower extremity, i.e., knee reaction time, stepping, and maximal pedalling speed were not improved. In anthropometric variable, significant reduction showed in waist of skinfolds thickness, but other parts of that and body weight were not change. Physical and psychic symptom determined by Come' Medical Index (CMI) were improved on all subject after physical training. A significant correlation was observed between improvement of VO₂max and initial level of VO₂max (namely, r= -0.59; p<0.001), when the data of this study and our previous studies were added. From these results, exercise prescription in this study was concluded to be available stimulus to improve aerobic work capacity and the physical or psychic symptom determined by CMI in totally blind students.

DESCENTE SPORTS SCIENCE Vol.3/THE DESCENTE AND ISHIMOTO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION SPORTS SCIENCE