Meta-analysis of the age-associated decline in maximal aerobic capacity in men: relation to training status.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Meta-analysis of cross-sectional observational studies
PubMed 10710351 · doi:10.1152/ajpheart.2000.278.3.H829
What was done
Authors conducted a meta-analysis of published literature examining the relation between habitual aerobic exercise status and the rate of decline in maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) with age in men. A total of 242 studies meeting inclusion criteria (538 subject groups, 13,828 subjects) were analyzed and categorized into sedentary (214 groups, 6,231 subjects), active (159 groups, 5,621 subjects), and endurance-trained (165 groups, 1,976 subjects) cohorts.
What was found
VO2 max was inversely related to age within each category (r = -0.80 to -0.88, all P < 0.001), maintaining the highest values in endurance-trained and lowest in sedentary men across all ages. Absolute rates of VO2 max decline with age did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) among sedentary (-4.0 ml/kg/min/decade), active (-4.0), and endurance-trained (-4.6) populations. Similarly, relative decline rates showed no significant differences (-8.7%, -7.3%, and -6.8% per decade, respectively; P > 0.05). Body fat percentage increased with age in sedentary and active men (P < 0.001) but did not change in endurance-trained men. Maximal heart rate declined similarly with age across all groups (r = -0.88 to -0.93, all P < 0.001), while running mileage and speed declined with age in endurance-trained men.
Why it matters
These findings indicate that while regular endurance training preserves a higher baseline aerobic capacity throughout life, it does not attenuate the rate of age-related VO2 max decline in men.
Limits
The analysis relies on cross-sectional rather than longitudinal data, introducing potential cohort effects. Subject classifications into activity categories were arbitrarily defined. Furthermore, age-related reductions in running mileage and speed among endurance-trained men confound biological aging with reduced training stimulus.
Cited by
- supports VO2 max capacity declines by 10% per decade in individuals who are not actively training it.