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

The present study aimed to compare V̇O₂max (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 V̇O₂ 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 V̇O₂ max measurement and a body composition test by dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry system. V̇O₂max 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 V̇O₂max (mL/min). V̇O₂max (mL/kg/min) and V̇O₂ max (mL/kgLM/min) were significantly influenced by age and physical activity levels. The multiple regression model explains 76.2 % of the dependent variable V̇O₂max (mL/kg/min), age (β = −0.335, t = −7.841, p < 0.001), and physical activity group (β = −0.784, t = −18.351, p < 0.001). In conclusion, female runners had higher V̇O₂ max values than sedentary women at all ages, even though aging has a greater impact on V̇O₂ max in the runners group. In addition to cardiorespiratory fitness, women's metabolic lean mass function, as measured by V̇O₂max adjusted by lean mass, is significantly influenced by aging. Finally, physical activity has a greater impact on V̇O₂ max levels than aging.