Changes in aerobic capacity following an endurance training program as a function of age

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Authors
Nustad, Jill K.
Advisor
Whaley, Mitchell H., 1955-
Issue Date
1991
Keyword
Degree
Thesis (M.S.)
Department
School of Physical Education
Other Identifiers
Abstract

The recent American college of Sports Medicine Position Stand concerning the quantity and quality of exercise for developing cardiovascular fitness (1) suggests a need for more information concerning the rate of improvement in aerobic power as a function of age. Therefore, the purpose of this retrospective study was to assess whether the change in maximal oxygen uptake (AVO2max) following endurance training varies as a function of age. Subjects were healthy men (N=277) and women (N=161), ranging in age from 20-72 years, who completed an endurance training program (= 3-5 months) between 1972 and 1987. The standard training stimulus consisted of individualized aerobic exercise (walking, walk-jog, or jogging) at about 75-85% maximal heart rate reserve for = 30-60 minutes, 3-4 sessions per week. A description of the %OVO2max expressed in relative and absolute terms, ± SEE are presented below.Variable20-29 yrs30-39 yrs40-49 yrs50-59 yrs60-69 yrsM 9/6AV02max ml•kg-1-min-'17.1 ± 13.220.0 ± 11.817.3 ± 13.319.5 ± 13.719.8 ± 9.1M%%OV02maxLmin-112.6 ± 10.616.0 ± 11.514.7 ± 11.616.6 ± 15.116.2 ± 9.8F °/oA VO2max mlkg''•min-'16.3 ± 9.022.5 ± 13.119.0 ± 10.917.6 ± 13.415.4 ± 6.8F%OV02maxL.min-'15.2±12.321.7±12.716.6±11.515.7±13.411.9±9.8N=Men women)20(17)87(54)112(51)46(30)12(9)A stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between age and %OVO2max in both relative and absolute units, after adjusting for other parameters known to effect the training response. After adjusting for pre-training VO2max.(ml-kg-1-min-1) there was a significant negative correlation between OVO2max and age in both men (r = -0.31, p < 0.01) and women(r = -0.37, p < 0.01). When expressed as %OVO2max (L•min-1), the resultsrevealed the same age trend as that observed for the relative unit. Since the AVO2max after =3-5 months of training decreased as a function of age, this study supported the contention that training adaptations may be attenuated with increased age.