title: Longitudinal changes in aerobic power in older men and women.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to describe the longitudinal (10 yr) decline in aerobic power [maximal O(2) uptake (Vo(2 max))] and anaerobic threshold [ventilatory threshold (T(Ve))] of older adults living independently in the community. Ten years after initial testing, 62 subjects (34 men, mean age 73.5 +/- 6.4 yr; 28 women, 72.1 +/- 5.3 yr) achieved Vo(2 max) criteria during treadmill walking tests to the limit of tolerance, with T(Ve) determined in a subset of 45. Vo(2 max) in men showed a rate of decline of -0.43 ml.kg(-1).min(-1).yr(-1), and the decline in Vo(2 max) was consequent to a lowered maximal heart rate with no change in the maximum O(2) pulse. The women showed a slower rate of decline of Vo(2 max) of -0.19.ml.kg(-1).min(-1).yr(-1) (P < 0.05), again with a lowered HR(max) and unchanged O(2) pulse. In this sample, lean body mass was not changed over the 10-yr period. Changes in Vo(2 max) were not significantly related to physical activity scores. T(Ve) showed a nonsignificant decline in both men and women. Groupings of young-old (65-72 yr at follow-up) vs. old-old (73-90 yr at follow-up) were examined. In men, there were no differences in the rate of Vo(2 max) decline. The young-old women showed a significant decline in Vo(2 max), whereas old-old women, initially at a Vo(2 max) of 19.4 +/- 3.1 ml.kg(-1).min(-1), showed no loss in Vo(2 max). The longitudinal data, vs. cross-sectional analysis, showed a greater decline for men but similar estimates of the rates of change in women. Thus the 10-yr longitudinal study of the cohort of community-dwelling older adults who remained healthy, ambulatory, and independent showed a 14% decline in Vo(2 max) in men, and a smaller decline of 7% in women, with the oldest women showing little change over the 10-yr period.
authors.affiliation: Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging, School of Kinesiology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada N6G 2M3.
authors.forename: Liza
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stathokostas
authors.forename: Shanthi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jacob-Johnson
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Petrella
authors.forename: Donald H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Paterson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001823:Body Composition; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology