Greater rate of decline in maximal aerobic capacity with age in endurance-trained than in sedentary men

Abstract

To determine the relation between habitual endurance exercise status and the age-associated decline in maximal aerobic capacity [i.e., maximal O(2) consumption (Vo(2 max))] in men, we performed a well-controlled cross-sectional laboratory study on 153 healthy men aged 20-75 yr: 64 sedentary and 89 endurance trained. Vo(2 max) (ml. kg(-1). min(-1)), measured by maximal treadmill exercise, was inversely related to age in the endurance-trained (r = -0.80) and sedentary (r = -0.74) men but was higher in the endurance-trained men at any age. The rate of decline in Vo(2 max) with age (ml. kg(-1). min(-1)) was greater (P < 0.001) in the endurance-trained than in the sedentary men. Whereas the relative rate of decline in Vo(2 max) (percent decrease per decade from baseline levels in young adulthood) was similar in the two groups, the absolute rate of decline in Vo(2 max) was -5.4 and -3.9 ml. kg(-1). min(-). decade(-1) in the endurance-trained and sedentary men, respectively. Vo(2 max) declined linearly across the age range in the sedentary men but was maintained in the endurance-trained men until approximately 50 yr of age. The accelerated decline in Vo(2 max) after 50 yr of age in the endurance-trained men was related to a decline in training volume (r = 0.46, P < 0.0001) and was associated with an increase in 10-km running time (r = -0.84, P < 0.0001). We conclude that the rate of decline in maximal aerobic capacity during middle and older age is greater in endurance-trained men than in their sedentary peers and is associated with a marked decline in O(2) pulse.

Sport participation and positive development in older persons

“…Sport scientists [19,49,50] have suggested that prolonged training by Masters athletes plays a critical role in the maintenance of athletic performance even in the face of predicted agerelated decline. The physiological changes that occur with age are well documented-age changes for maximal heart rate [51] and aerobic capacities [52][53][54] are significant. Yet, age-related physiological decline is not as severe in Masters athletes.…”

The Effect of Aging on Skeletal-Muscle Recovery from Exercise: Possible Implications for Aging Athletes

“…Another factor that might limit comparison between studies is the different relative ages of the research participants. Several studies have examined the effects of aging on physiological variables and athletic performance (Galloway, Kadoko, & Jokl, 2002;Pimentel, Gentile, Tanaka, Seals, & Gates, 2003) and found that there might be critical ages to which muscle function can be maintained if undertaking appropriate training protocols but beyond which rapid decrements in function are unavoidable. Finally, the training status of participants in studies that have examined aging and muscle function is also likely to influence the discordant findings reported in the literature.…”

Aging-induced alterations in gene transcripts and functional activity of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation complexes in the heart

“…A case in point is the myocardium, an aerobic tissue with high energy demands dependent on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) where aging precipitates organ failure during stress. Although age-associated reduction in cardiac mitochondrial function and ATP generation Pimentel et al, 2003;Wallace, 2001) has been recognized as a major factor contributing to the diminished responsiveness of the aging heart to metabolic demands (Goldspink, 2005), the molecular basis for senescence-related mitochondrial dysfunction remains poorly understood.…”