title: Case Studies in Physiology: Maximal oxygen consumption and performance in a centenarian cyclist.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the physiological characteristics of an elite centenarian cyclist who, at 101 yr old, established the 1-h cycling record for individuals ≥100 yr old (24.25 km) and to determine the physiological factors associated with his performance improvement 2 yr later at 103 yr old (26.92 km; +11%). Before each record, he performed an incremental test on a cycling ergometer. For 2 yr, he trained 5,000 km/yr with a polarized training that involved cycling 80% of mileage at "light" rate of perceived exertion (RPE) ≤12 and 20% at "hard" RPE ≥15 at a cadence between 50 and 70 rpm. His body weight and lean body mass did not change, while his maximal oxygen consumption (V̇o2max) increased (31-35 ml·kg-1·min-1; +13%). Peak power output increased from 90 to 125 W (+39%), mainly because of increasing the maximal pedaling frequency (69-90 rpm; +30%). Maximal heart rate did not change (134-137 beats/min) in contrast to the maximal ventilation (57-70 l/min, +23%), increasing with both the respiratory frequency (38-41 cycles/min; +8%) and the tidal volume (1.5-1.7 liters; +13%). Respiratory exchange ratio increased (1.03-1.14) to the same extent as tolerance to V̇co2In conclusion, it is possible to increase performance and V̇o2maxwith polarized training focusing on a high pedaling cadence even after turning 100 yr old.NEW & NOTEWORTHYThis study shows, for the first time, that maximal oxygen consumption (+13%) and performance (+11%) can still be increased between 101 and 103 yr old with 2 yr of training and that a centenarian is able, at 103 yr old, to cover 26.9 km/h in 1 h.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Integrative Biology of Adaptations to Exercise, EA 7362, Université d'Evry Val d'Essonne, Genopole, Evry, France; veroniquelouisebillat@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Véronique
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Billat
authors.affiliation: Surgical Intensive Care Unit-Trauma Center, Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Université Paris-Est Créteil and Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Créteil, France.
authors.forename: Gilles
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dhonneur
authors.affiliation: Unit of Integrative Biology of Adaptations to Exercise, EA 7362, Université d'Evry Val d'Essonne, Genopole, Evry, France.
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mille-Hamard
authors.affiliation: Unit of Integrative Biology of Adaptations to Exercise, EA 7362, Université d'Evry Val d'Essonne, Genopole, Evry, France.
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Le Moyec
authors.affiliation: Unit of Integrative Biology of Adaptations to Exercise, EA 7362, Université d'Evry Val d'Essonne, Genopole, Evry, France.
authors.forename: Iman
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Momken
authors.affiliation: Unit of Integrative Biology of Adaptations to Exercise, EA 7362, Université d'Evry Val d'Essonne, Genopole, Evry, France.|Université Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France; and.
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Launay
authors.affiliation: Centre de Médecine du Sport, Caisse Centrale d'Activités Sociales, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Jean Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Koralsztein
authors.affiliation: Unit of Integrative Biology of Adaptations to Exercise, EA 7362, Université d'Evry Val d'Essonne, Genopole, Evry, France.|Université Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France; and.
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Besse
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000523:psychology*; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis
keywords: V̇o2max; aging; centenarian; cycling; pedaling cadence