With the ongoing progression of population aging, declining cardiorespiratory endurance and dysregulated glucose-lipid metabolism have emerged as critical threats to the health of middle-aged and elderly populations. Skiing, as an outdoor fitness activity conducted under cold conditions, combines both aerobic and anaerobic metabolic characteristics and exerts unique stimulation and regulatory effects on the cardiopulmonary system and metabolic function. This paper presents a systematic review of the intervention effects and underlying physiological mechanisms of skiing on cardiorespiratory endurance and metabolic indicators in middle-aged and elderly adults. Multiple studies have demonstrated that skiing can effectively increase maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max), reduce resting heart rate and systolic blood pressure, enhance cardiac output, and improve vital capacity. Concurrently, skiing regulates glucose and lipid metabolism by lowering triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and improving insulin sensitivity and vascular endothelial function. The underlying mechanisms involve the “vascular gymnastics” effect induced by cold stimulation, the alternating pattern of aerobic and anaerobic metabolism, and the activation of basal metabolic rate under cold conditions. It is recommended that middle-aged and elderly adults engage in skiing-based fitness activities under scientific guidance to optimize cardiopulmonary and metabolic health.
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Zheng, R. (2026) Effects of Skiing Intervention on Cardiopulmonary Function and Metabolic Indicators in Middle-aged and Elderly Adults. Journal of Disease and Public Health, 2(2), 22-27. https://doi.org/10.71052/jdph/MDIZ6146