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

The present study aimed to compare V̇Omax (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 V̇O 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 V̇O max measurement and a body composition test by dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry system. V̇Omax 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 V̇Omax (mL/min). V̇Omax (mL/kg/min) and V̇O max (mL/kgLM/min) were significantly influenced by age and physical activity levels. The multiple regression model explains 76.2 % of the dependent variable V̇Omax (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 V̇O max values than sedentary women at all ages, even though aging has a greater impact on V̇O max in the runners group. In addition to cardiorespiratory fitness, women's metabolic lean mass function, as measured by V̇Omax adjusted by lean mass, is significantly influenced by aging. Finally, physical activity has a greater impact on V̇O max levels than aging.