Do you think an older guy that does anaerobic training can keep up with the same age person who does cardio ?
Yes, I do in terms of heart function during hunting events. There have been university human subjects committee approved studies which indicate that, amongst trained athletes in each sport regime, each have exhibited statistically the same ejection fraction (a higher percentage = better LV function).
There is at least one study which indicates the increase in ejection fraction percentage (the amount of blood ejected from the LV) is statistically the same for those in the anaerobic or aerobic programs they were put on. Keep in mind there are other tests to determine cardiac function; ejection fraction is the one I chose.
I don't have the book in front of me, it was written by Fred Hatfield, a former squat world record holder, (1100 lbs if I recall correctly) but, a PhD also.
In his book he tells of his study injecting 20 millicuries of a dye (cant remember which dye) into the thighs of 20+ willing subjects for each group. Each group (elite weight trainers and elite runners) indicate an ejection fraction with no statistical difference between the two. This is not proof, of course, but is evidence that either mode of training can produce an increase in ejection fraction/cardiac efficiency.
I cannot disagree with what Joe2Kool said either, except for this: " ...it can approach a cardio type workout." I believe it will equal a cardio type workout for the reasons stated above...proper, at target heart rate strength training (for 30 continuous minutes or so) will result in a statistically equal ejection fraction for that of an aerobically trained person. Either way of training (weights>>increased thickness of LV walls) aerobic>>bigger left ventricle chamber will result in an increase of muscle for the LV.
Of course a runner will most likely always outrun a weight trained person. And, conversely, a runner likely won't outlift a strength trained person.
Years ago, I was experiencing chest pain. USN docs sent me to a cardiac doc, pretty famous in the Reno area. Good looking woman, not afraid to speak her mind. Anyway, I showed up to her appointment and saw her...6' tall, wearing leopard skin yoga pants. She asked about stress test protocol, and I said I was familiar with most of them as I used to give them. I did my thing on the treadmill and she said that I was in good shape for a guy who was 45. She asked me how much I ran. I told her three miles. She thought I meant 3 miles a day. Nope, three miles a year for the sake of 2X a year Navy fitness test.
Turned out to be GERD, not any cardiac problems.
If I could run on one foot without leg pain, I would. So, I bike here and there, then get beat up with some free weights 2-3 times a week.
I am certain that IF you keep your age predicted THR..target heart rate...within a certain range (below your max heart rate), that your heart will increase in efficiency. But, as Joe2Kool says, the heart rate must be consistent throughout your workout.
220 - (your age) = your age predicted max HR. Take 50% - 85% of that number and you will get your THR...training heart rate.
How do I find my pulse or heart rate? Now that you have a target.
www.heart.org