What intensity range defines vigorous aerobic activity for older adults?

• A. 3-4/10 exertion
• B. 5-6/10 exertion
• C. 7-8/10 exertion
• D. 9-10/10 exertion

Answer: (C)

Understanding how hard you’re working is done easily with an effort scale. Vigorous aerobic activity for older adults is typically felt as a hard to very hard effort, around 7 to 8 on a 0–10 rating of perceived exertion. At this level you’re breathing heavier and speaking in short phrases rather than full sentences; you’re pushing your cardiovascular system more than during moderate effort but not at a max, so you can sustain it for a meaningful period with proper heat and safety considerations. This range sits above moderate (about 5–6), where talking is more comfortable, and below maximal (9–10), where the effort is unsustainably intense. So the 7–8/10 range best defines vigorous activity for older adults.