New records in aerobic power among octogenarian lifelong endurance athletes.
We examined whole body aerobic capacity and myocellular markers of oxidative metabolism in lifelong endurance athletes [n = 9, 81 ± 1 yr, 68 ± 3 kg, body mass index (BMI) = 23 ± 1 kg/m(2)] and age-matched, healthy, untrained men (n = 6; 82 ± 1 y, 77 ± 5 kg, BMI = 26 ± 1 kg/m(2)). The endurance athletes were cross-country skiers, including a former Olympic champion and several national/regional champions, with a history of aerobic exercise and participation in endurance events throughout their lives. Each subject performed a maximal cycle test to assess aerobic capacity (VO(2max)). Subjects had a resting vastus lateralis muscle biopsy to assess oxidative enzymes (citrate synthase and βHAD) and molecular (mRNA) targets associated with mitochondrial biogenesis [peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) and mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam)]. The octogenarian athletes had a higher (P < 0.05) absolute (2.6 ± 0.1 vs. 1.6 ± 0.1 l/min) and relative (38 ± 1 vs. 21 ± 1 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1)) VO(2max), ventilation (79 ± 3 vs. 64 ± 7 l/min), heart rate (160 ± 5 vs. 146 ± 8 beats per minute), and final workload (182 ± 4 vs. 131 ± 14 W). Skeletal muscle oxidative enzymes were 54% (citrate synthase) and 42% (βHAD) higher (P < 0.05) in the octogenarian athletes. Likewise, basal PGC-1α and Tfam mRNA were 135% and 80% greater (P < 0.05) in the octogenarian athletes. To our knowledge, the VO(2max) of the lifelong endurance athletes is the highest recorded in humans >80 yr of age and comparable to nonendurance trained men 40 years younger. The superior cardiovascular and skeletal muscle health profile of the octogenarian athletes provides a large functional reserve above the aerobic frailty threshold and is associated with lower risk for disability and mortality.
Human Performance Laboratory, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana 47306, USA. strappe@bsu.edu
Scott
S
Trappe
Erik
E
Hayes
Andrew
A
Galpin
Leonard
L
Kaminsky
Bozena
B
Jemiolo
William
W
Fink
Todd
T
Trappe
Anna
A
Jansson
Thomas
T
Gustafsson
Per
P
Tesch
D000367:Age Factors; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D056352:Athletes; D001823:Body Composition / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D002950:Citrate (si)-Synthase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D063269:Mitochondrial Turnover / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D000071248:Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; C486497:PPARGC1A protein, human; D000071248:Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C499631:TFAM protein, human; D014157:Transcription Factors; D002950:Citrate (si)-Synthase