Greater rate of decline in maximal aerobic capacity with age in endurance-trained than in sedentary men

To determine the relation between habitual endurance exercise status and the age-associated decline in maximal aerobic capacity [i.e., maximal O-2 consumption ((V) over dot O-2 max)] in men, we performed a well-controlled cross-sectional laboratory study on 153 healthy men aged 20 - 75 yr: 64 sedentary and 89 endurance trained. (V) over dot O-2max (ml . kg(-1) . min(-1)), measured by maximal treadmill exercise, was inversely related to age in the endurance-trained (r = -0.80) and sedentary (r = -0.74) men but was higher in the endurance-trained men at any age. The rate of decline in (V) over dot O-2 max with age (ml . kg(-1) . min(-1)) was greater (P < 0.001) in the endurance-trained than in the sedentary men. Whereas the relative rate of decline in (V) over dot O-2 max ( percent decrease per decade from baseline levels in young adulthood) was similar in the two groups, the absolute rate of decline in (V) over dot O-2 max was -5.4 and -3.9 ml . kg(-1) . min . decade(-1) in the endurance-trained and sedentary men, respectively. (V) over dot O-2 max declined linearly across the age range in the sedentary men but was maintained in the endurance-trained men until similar to 50 yr of age. The accelerated decline in (V) over dot O-2 max after 50 yr of age in the endurance-trained men was related to a decline in training volume ( r = 0.46, P < 0.0001) and was associated with an increase in 10-km running time ( r = -0.84, P < 0.0001). We conclude that the rate of decline in maximal aerobic capacity during middle and older age is greater in endurance-trained men than in their sedentary peers and is associated with a marked decline in O-2 pulse.