Decline in VO2max with aging in master athletes and sedentary men

Abstract

Fifteen well-trained master endurance athletes [62.0 +/- 2.3 (SE) yr] and 14 sedentary control subjects (61.4 +/- 1.4 yr) were reevaluated after an average follow-up period of approximately 8 yr to obtain information regarding the effects of physical activity on the age-related decline in maximal O2 uptake capacity (VO2max). The master athletes had been training for 10.2 +/- 2.9 yr before initial testing and continued to train during the follow-up period. The sedentary subjects' VO2max declined by an average of 3.3 ml.kg-1.min-1 (33.9 +/- 1.7 vs. 30.6 +/- 1.6, P less than 0.001) over the course of the study, a decline of 12% per decade. In these subjects maximal heart rate declined 8 beats/min (171 vs. 163) and maximal O2 pulse decreased from 0.20 to 0.18 ml.kg-1.beat (P less than 0.05). The master athletes' VO2 max decreased by an average of 2.2 ml.kg-1.min-1 (54.0 +/- 1.7 vs. 51.8 +/- 1.8, P less than 0.05), a 5.5% decline per decade. The master athletes' maximal heart rate was unchanged (171 +/- 3 beats/min) and their maximal O2 pulse decreased from 0.32 to 0.30 ml.kg-1.beat (P less than 0.05). These findings provide evidence that the age-related decrease in VO2max of master athletes who continue to engage in regular vigorous endurance exercise training is approximately one-half the rate of decline seen in age-matched sedentary subjects. Furthermore our results suggest that endurance exercise training may reduce the rate of decline in maximal heart rate that typically occurs as an individual ages.

Exercise-training-induced changes in metabolic capacity with age: the role of central cardiovascular plasticity

“…VO 2max , high-intensity aerobic training, and age Although VO 2max typically declines with age, it has been clearly documented that physical activity can counteract this process (Rogers et al 1990;Trappe et al 1996). Indeed, even at baseline, the older subjects in this study were a testament to this concept, being moderately exercise trained, but certainly not among the best runners in their age group, and having an equivalent VO 2max to the young.…”

“…Although this decline in aerobic capacity with increasing age is often considered to be inevitable, it seems that this fall can be decelerated, maintained, or even reversed in the elderly by maintaining a high level of physical activity (Faulkner et al 2008;Fujimoto et al 2010;Grimsmo et al 2010;Heath et al 1981;McGuire et al 2001b;Murias et al 2010;Osteras et al 2005;Posner et al 1986;Rogers et al 1990;Trappe et al 2013;Trappe et al 1996). Indeed, marathon running times of approximately 2.5 h or less, documented in males older than 60 years of age, reveal that a VO 2max of ∼70 mL min kg −1 (Helgerud 1994;Tokmakidis et al 1987), a high value exhibited by young endurance athletes at the peak of their careers, is still feasible with increasing age.…”

Aerobic Exercise Training Can Reverse Age-Related Peripheral Circulatory Changes in Healthy Older Men

“…[3][4][5][6] The age-associated decline in maximal oxygen consumption can be attenuated by habitual aerobic exercise, although the mechanism is unclear. [7][8][9][10][11] Although it has been shown that exercise training can augment both cardiac output and the AV oxygen difference in younger subjects, 12,13 these components have not been measured in older subjects before and after exercise intervention.…”

Maximal aerobic power and anaerobic capacity in cycling across the age spectrum in male master athletes

“…After the peak in young adult age, MAP has been described to decay by about 10 % per 58 decade in the general population after the age of 30 (Åstrand 1973;Dill et al 1967;Maharam et al 1999;Marti and 59 Howland 1990;Marcell et al 2003;Robinson 1938;Rogers et al 1990;Trappe et al 1996), even though we do not 60 know exactly at which age this decay becomes evident.…”