title: Leg strength and the VO2 max of older men.
abstract: The purpose of the study was to determine if leg strength limits VO2 max and the ability to reach a plateau during VO2 max test in older men during cycle ergometry. Men aged 70-80 years were randomly selected into a strength training (ST, n=12) 3 times weekly for 16 weeks, followed by 4 weeks detraining or a non-training control group (C, n=12). Leg strength and VO2 max were assessed every 4 weeks for 20 weeks; body composition and cardiac function were assessed before and after 16 weeks training and after 4 weeks detraining. Leg strength, upper leg muscle mass (ULMM), arterial-venous O2 difference (a-v O2 difference) and VO2 max increased in the ST group (95±0.6%, 7±0.7%. 6.2±0.5% and 8±0.8%, respectively; P<0.05) after 16 weeks training. After 4 weeks detraining, gains in ULMM (50%) and strength (75%) were retained, but VO2 max and a-v O2 difference returned to pre-training levels. There was no change in the ability of the participants to reach a plateau during VO2 max testing over the 20-week study. These findings indicate that leg strength may not limit either VO2 max or the ability to plateau during VO2 max tests in older men during cycle ergometry.
authors.affiliation: The University of the Sunshine Coast, School of Health and Sport Sciences, Maroochydore, Australia. dlovell@usc.edu.au
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lovell
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cuneo
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Delphinus
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gass
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology; D016552:Ergometry; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods*