Superior Endurance Performance in Aging Mountain Runners

Abstract

Background: Oxygen uptake at the anaerobic threshold (VO₂AT) is considered as the main determinant for endurance performance in humans. Endurance performance steeply decreases with aging but seems to be kept exceedingly high in elite mountain runners. Methods: To obtain the age- and gender-related upper limits of endurance performance in this sport, we analyzed the results of the World Masters Athletic Championships in Mountain Running 2007. Additionally, to investigate the relationship between the individual VO₂AT values and running times, laboratory tests were performed in 10 mountain runners. Results: The World Championships race times of the first 5 finishers of the 5-year age groups did not differ significantly from 35 to 49 years. The corresponding mean (± SD) values of the VO₂AT were 68.0 ± 1.7 ml/min/kg in males and 58.1 ± 1.9 ml/min/kg in females. In the following age groups up to 70+ there was a decrease in the VO₂AT of 29.1% in males and 33.9% in females. Conclusion: Thus, at the beginning of the 3rd millennium, elite mountain runners demonstrate that VO₂AT and probably also VO_2max may be held at top levels in humans up to the age of 45–49 years in both sexes. Despite the following decrease, endurance capacity remains about 3.5-fold higher in elite mountain runners up to 70+ years when compared to their untrained peers.

Effects of Beta-Alanine Supplementation on Athletic Performance: A Mini-Review

“…Furthermore, associated structures of collagen tissue (tendons and ligaments) are to mention which lose elasticity with increasing age [19,[40][41][42]. For a mountain marathon, the decrease in elasticity could have smaller consequences, due to the fact that in downhill running elasticity of tendons are less important than when running in the flat with the importance of storage of (elastic) energy [40].…”

“…Especially uphill running in mountainous terrain compared to other forms (e.g. track and field or street running) is characterized through different biomechanical patterns underlying different age associated changes [19,20]. This yields to the central question of the study whether with increasing age differences in age associated decrease in performance can be detected in mountain versus city marathons.…”

Effect of 3-week high-intensity interval training on VO2max, total haemoglobin mass, plasma and blood volume in well-trained athletes

“…As mentioned above, two different treadmill protocols were used to assess VO 2max , with no differences in achieving VO 2max . The following treadmill protocol, as described in detail by Burtscher et al (2008), was used to assess VO 2max in the first investigation. Exercise started at 5 km/h and 5 % inclination, after 2 min inclination was set at 10 % for 2 min.…”

“…Subsequently, running speed was increased to 6 km/h and inclination was augmented by 2 % every minute until 20 %. Finally, inclination was kept constant at 20 % and running speed was increased by 1 km/h per minute (Burtscher et al 2008). The test was completed when the athlete was subjectively exhausted despite verbal encouragement.…”

Exercise Limitations by the Oxygen Delivery and Utilization Systems in Aging and Disease: Coordinated Adaptation and Deadaptation of the Lung-Heart Muscle Axis - A Mini-Review

“…3.5 ml O 2 ·min -1 · kg -1 ) increase in aerobic exercise capacity up to approximately 13 METs [1]. Although aerobic exercise capacity inevitably decreases with aging, oxygen uptake at the anaerobic threshold remains about 3.5-fold higher in elite endurance athletes up to 70+ years when compared to their untrained peers [2]. On the other hand, physical inactivity and disease may accelerate the decline of oxygen delivery and utilization capacities and the related exercise performance below the level necessary for performing daily activities.…”