Peak anaerobic power in elderly men

The relationship of maximal anaerobic power (Pmax) of the quadriceps muscle and corresponding optimal shortening velocity (vopt) with age, habitual physical activity (PA) and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) were assessed in 37 healthy older [71.1 (SD 3.8) years] men and compared to those of 16 y...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of applied physiology and occupational physiology 1998, Vol.77 (1-2), p.182-188
Main Authors: BONNEFOY, M, KOSTKA, T, ARSAC, L. M, BERTHOUZE, S. E, LACOUR, J.-R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Aging - physiology
Anaerobiosis
Biological and medical sciences
Ergometry
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Heart Rate
Humans
Lactic Acid - blood
Male
Muscle, Skeletal - anatomy & histology
Muscle, Skeletal - physiology
Oxygen Consumption
Regression Analysis
Striated muscle. Tendons
Vertebrates: osteoarticular system, musculoskeletal system
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Summary:The relationship of maximal anaerobic power (Pmax) of the quadriceps muscle and corresponding optimal shortening velocity (vopt) with age, habitual physical activity (PA) and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) were assessed in 37 healthy older [71.1 (SD 3.8) years] men and compared to those of 16 young [22.7 (SD 3.4) years] men. The PA was evaluated using a questionnaire. The Pmax and vopt were measured on a friction loaded non-isokinetic cycle ergometer. The Pmax was expressed relative to body mass - Pmax x kg(-1), and relative to the mass of the two quadriceps muscles - Pmax x kgquad(-1). The decline of Pmax x kg(-1) from youth to advanced age (8.3% per decade) was greater than the decrease in quadriceps muscle mass (3.8% per decade), in Pmax x kgquad(-1) (5.9% per decade) and in vopt (4.3% per decade). In the older men, a negative relationship of Pmax x kg(-1) (r = -0.33) and Pmax x kgquad(-1) (r = -0.44) with age was found. Ergometer measurements were not correlated with PA activity indices or VO2max, while VO2max was positively associated with PA. In a multiple stepwise regression analysis age was the only variable that contributed significantly to Pmax x kg(-1) and Pmax x kgquad(-1) variances. Our findings indicated that in these healthy elderly men, unlike the fall in VO2max, habitual PA did not attenuate the decline in Pmax of the quadriceps muscle with age. This finding was different from a previously described relationship in older women and would suggest sex differences in determining Pmax in healthy older subjects.
ISSN:0301-5548
1432-1025