Greater rate of decline in maximal aerobic capacity with age in physically active vs. sedentary healthy women.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional physiological study
PubMed 9390967 · doi:10.1152/jappl.1997.83.6.1947
What was done
Researchers measured the cross-sectional age-related decline in maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) in 156 healthy, nonobese women aged 20–75 years. The cohort consisted of 84 endurance-trained runners (matched across age for age-adjusted 10-km running performance) and 72 sedentary controls, evaluated under controlled laboratory conditions during voluntary maximal exertion.
What was found
VO2 max was inversely related to age in both endurance-trained (r = -0.82, P < 0.001) and sedentary women (r = -0.71, P < 0.001). The absolute rate of decline in VO2 max was significantly greater in endurance-trained women (-5.7 ml · kg⁻¹ · min⁻¹ · decade⁻¹) compared with sedentary women (-3.2 ml · kg⁻¹ · min⁻¹ · decade⁻¹; P < 0.01). However, the relative rate of decline was similar between groups (-9.7% vs. -9.1% per decade; not significant). Decline in maximal heart rate was comparable (-5.6 vs. -6.2 beats · min⁻¹ · decade⁻¹). Body mass increased with age in sedentary women but not in runners, while fat-free mass was not different across age in either group.
Why it matters
This study shows that physically active women experience a greater absolute rate of cardiorespiratory fitness decline with age than sedentary women, though their relative percentage rate of decline is equivalent and their baseline VO2 max remains superior at all ages.
Limits
The study is cross-sectional rather than longitudinal, relying on age-group comparisons rather than tracking individuals over time. The sample was limited to healthy, nonobese women, and running mileage and intensity declined modestly with age among the runners.
Cited by
- supports VO2 max capacity declines by 10% per decade in individuals who are not actively training it.