Impact of aging on maximal oxygen uptake in female runners and sedentary controls

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Souza, Vinicius Ribeiro dos Anjos ; Vivan, Lavinia ; Seffrin, Aldo ; Vallini, Lucca ; Domingos, Fabio de Paula ; de Lira, Claudio Andre Barbosa ; Vancini, Rodrigo Luiz ; Weiss, Katja ; Rosemann, Thomas ; Knechtle, Beat ; Andrade, Marilia Santos

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Experimental Gerontology; v. 193, p. 8-pg., 2024-06-03.

Abstract

The present study aimed to compare VO(2)max (absolute, adjusted to total body mass, and adjusted to lean mass) in recreational runners and sedentary women < and > 50 yr and verify the effect of aging and physical activity level on the three types of VO2 max expression. The study included 147 women:85 runners (45.7 +/- 14.1 yr) and 62 sedentary controls (48.8 +/- 9.8 yr). They were subjected to cardiopulmonary exercise testing for VO2 max measurement and a body composition test by dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry system. V(center dot)O2max were expressed as absolute values (L/min), relative to total body mass values (mL/kg/min), and relative to lean mass values (mL/kgLM/min). The two-way analysis of variance revealed a significant interaction [F(2,131) = 4.43, p < 0.001] and effects of age group [F(2,131) = 32.79, p < 0.001] and physical activity group [F(2,131) = 55.64, p < 0.001] on V(center dot)O2max (mL/min). V(center dot)O2max (mL/kg/min) and VO2 max (mL/kgLM/min) were significantly influenced by age and physical activity levels. The multiple regression model explains 76.2 % of the dependent variable VO(2 )max (mL/kg/min), age (8 = -0.335, t = -7.841, p < 0.001), and physical activity group (8 = -0.784, t = -18.351, p < 0.001). In conclusion, female runners had higher VO2 max values than sedentary women at all ages, even though aging has a greater impact on VO2 max in the runners group. In addition to cardiorespiratory fitness, women's metabolic lean mass function, as measured by VO(2)max adjusted by lean mass, is significantly influenced by aging. Finally, physical activity has a greater impact on VO2 max levels than aging. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 21/08114-1 - Physiological characteristics of the olympic distance amateur triathlete and the associations with performance
• Grantee: Marilia dos Santos Andrade
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants