Longitudinal changes in aerobic power in older men and women

The purpose of this study was to describe the longitudinal (10 yr) decline in aerobic power [maximal O-2 uptake ((V)over dot O-2 max)] and anaerobic threshold [ventilatory threshold (T-(V)over dot F.)] of older adults living independently in the community. Ten years after initial testing, 62 subjects (34 men, mean age 73.5 +/- 6.4 yr; 28 women, 72.1 +/- 5.3 yr) achieved (V)over dot O-2 max criteria during treadmill walking tests to the limit of tolerance, with T-(V)over dot E determined in a subset of 45. (V)over dot O-2 max in men showed a rate of decline of -0.43 ml.kg(-1).mm(-1).yr(-1), and the decline in (V)over dot O-2 max was consequent to a lowered maximal heart rate with no change in the maximum 02 pulse. The women showed a slower rate of decline of (V)over dot O-2 max of -0.19-ml.kg(-1).min(-1).yr(-1) (P < 0.05), again with a lowered HRmax and unchanged O-2 pulse. In this sample, lean body mass was not changed over the 10-yr period. Changes in (V)ovr dot O-2 max were not significantly related to physical activity scores. T-(V)over dot E showed a nonsignificant decline in both men and women. Groupings of young-old (65-72 yr at follow-up) vs. old-old (73-90 yr at follow-up) were examined. In men, there were no differences in the rate of (V)over dot O-2 max decline. The young-old women showed a significant decline in (V)over dot O-2 max whereas old-old women, initially at a (V)over dot O-2 max of 19.4 +/- 3.1 ml.kg(-1).min(-1), showed no loss in (V)over dot O-2 max. The longitudinal data, vs. cross-sectional analysis, showed a greater decline for men but similar estimates of the rates of change in women. Thus the 10-yr longitudinal study of the cohort of community-dwelling older adults who remained healthy, ambulatory, and independent showed a 14% decline in (V)over do O-2 max in men, and a smaller decline of 7% in women, with the oldest women showing little change over the 10-yr period.