Changes in cardiorespiratory function in different groups of former and still active male cross-country skiers: a 28-30-year follow-up study.
The aim of the study was to assess longitudinal changes in cardiorespiratory function in different groups of current or former endurance trained male cross-country skiers. Three different age groups (n=122) took part in a similar study in 1976. Of 86 men still alive 78 responded (90.7%). Thirty-two from group I (age 58.7+/-2.3) and 36 from group II (age 74.5+/-2.5) participated in a maximum exercise test. We found significant difference in decline in VO2max between age groups (%/decade: 6.7+/-3.6 vs 13.9+/-3.2; P=0.0001 and in L/min/decade: 0.32+/-0.18 vs 0.53+/-0.14; P=0.0001). Men in group I (but only a tendency in group II) who were still competing and reported unchanged training patterns had a significant attenuated decline in VO2max (%/decade: 4.1+/-3.7 vs 8.1+/-2.8; P=0.003 and L/min: 0.19+/-0.0.17 vs 0.39+/-0.15; P=0.004). This study shows that lifelong endurance training does not stop the decline in VO2max with ageing, but vigorous training is important to attenuate the decline.
Department of Cardiac Rehabilitation, Feiringklinikken (The Feiring Clinic), Feiring, Norway.
J
J
Grimsmo
H
H
Arnesen
S
S
Maehlum
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005080:Exercise Test; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D012865:Skiing / Q000502:physiology*; D014797:Vital Capacity