title: Changes in aerobic power of men, ages 25-70 yr.
abstract: This study quantified and compared the cross-sectional and longitudinal influence of age, self-report physical activity (SR-PA), and body composition (%fat) on the decline of maximal aerobic power (VO2peak). The cross-sectional sample consisted of 1,499 healthy men ages 25-70 yr. The 156 men of the longitudinal sample were from the same population and examined twice, the mean time between tests was 4.1 (+/- 1.2) yr. Peak oxygen uptake was determined by indirect calorimetry during a maximal treadmill exercise test. The zero-order correlations between VO2peak and %fat (r = -0.62) and SR-PA (r = 0.58) were significantly (P < 0.05) higher that the age correlation (r = -0.45). Linear regression defined the cross-sectional age-related decline in VO2peak at 0.46 ml.kg-1.min-1.yr-1. Multiple regression analysis (R = 0.79) showed that nearly 50% of this cross-sectional decline was due to %fat and SR-PA, adding these lifestyle variables to the multiple regression model reduced the age regression weight to -0.26 ml.kg-1.min-1.yr-1. Statistically controlling for time differences between tests, general linear models analysis showed that longitudinal changes in aerobic power were due to independent changes in %fat and SR-PA, confirming the cross-sectional results.
authors.affiliation: Cardiopulmonary Laboratory, Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, NASA/Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX 77058.
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: E F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Beard
authors.forename: L T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Wier
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Stuteville
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Blair
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D002153:Calorimetry, Indirect; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016014:Linear Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology; D012885:Skinfold Thickness