Palumbo M, Modena R, Bortolan L, Skafidas S, Callovini A, Savoldelli A, Gilli F, Fornasiero A, Schena F, Pellegrini B, Zoppirolli C
CeRiSM (Research Center Sport Mountain and Health), University of Verona and Trento, Rovereto, Italy.
Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Front Sports Act Living. 2024 May 30;6:1416080. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2024.1416080. eCollection 2024.
Master athletes are examples of successful aging. It is not clear whether it is the competitive-oriented training or just the amount of total regular exercise that reduces the age-related decline in physiological functions. We aimed to compare health-related parameters in competitive (C) and physically active older adults (A) that performed the same weekly physical activity (PA) amount.
Seventeen C and 17 A were matched for age (8 and 9 male participants under and over 70 years old respectively, for both groups) and weekly PA amount (GPAQ). Body composition, leg and arm maximal strength, balance and reaction time were measured; moreover, leg and arm exercise efficiency, estimated VO, and VO/HR relationships were evaluated. Perception of life and sleep quality was also assessed through specific questionnaires (SF-36 and PSQI). The effect of group (C vs. A), age (U70 vs. O70) and their interaction was examined through a Two-Way ANOVA test.
C dedicated more time to vigorous PA compared to A ( = 0.03), while less to moderate daily work ( < 0.01) and active commuting ( = 0.06). C exhibited better body composition (all < 0.05), higher leg maximal strength ( < 0.05) and a trend for elevated arm strength ( = 0.06). Reaction time, leg and arm cycling efficiency were similar in the two groups (all p > 0.05), while balance reduced in A O70. Estimated VO was higher for C in leg cycling ( = 0.05) and remained constant across ages (all > 0.05). VO/HR relationship, life and sleep quality did not differ for groups and ages.
Regular physical exercise of about 6,000 METs/week seems to have a beneficial effect on health-related parameters, both in non-structured and competitive PA, when compared to sedentary behaviour. However, the older adults engaged in competitive training exhibit further advantages: better body composition, higher arm and leg muscle strength, and higher leg VO. This study highlights the importance of encouraging active lifestyles for maintaining long-term health, high levels of life quality perception and reducing age-related decline. However, vigorous training suitability needs to be verified by a team of PA specialists.
高龄运动员是成功衰老的典范。目前尚不清楚是竞技导向型训练还是仅仅是定期锻炼的总量减少了与年龄相关的生理功能衰退。我们旨在比较进行相同每周体力活动（PA）量的竞技（C）组和体力活跃的老年人（A）组的健康相关参数。
17名C组和17名A组在年龄（两组分别有8名和9名70岁以下及70岁以上男性参与者）和每周PA量（全球体力活动问卷，GPAQ）方面进行匹配。测量身体成分、腿部和手臂最大力量、平衡能力和反应时间；此外，评估腿部和手臂运动效率、估计的VO₂以及VO₂/心率关系。还通过特定问卷（SF - 36和匹兹堡睡眠质量指数，PSQI）评估生活感知和睡眠质量。通过双向方差分析检验研究组（C组与A组）、年龄（70岁以下与70岁以上）及其交互作用的影响。
与A组相比，C组投入更多时间进行剧烈PA（p = 0.03），而投入较少时间进行中度日常工作（p < 0.01）和主动通勤（p = 0.06）。C组表现出更好的身体成分（所有p < 0.05）、更高的腿部最大力量（p < 0.05）以及手臂力量升高的趋势（p = 0.06）。两组的反应时间、腿部和手臂骑行效率相似（所有p > 0.05），而A组70岁以上人群的平衡能力下降。C组在腿部骑行时估计的VO₂更高（p = 0.05），且在各年龄组中保持不变（所有p > 0.05）。VO₂/心率关系、生活和睡眠质量在组间和年龄组间无差异。
与久坐行为相比，每周约6000梅脱的定期体育锻炼似乎对非结构化和竞技性PA的健康相关参数都有有益影响。然而，参与竞技训练的老年人表现出进一步的优势：更好的身体成分、更高的手臂和腿部肌肉力量以及更高的腿部VO₂。本研究强调了鼓励积极生活方式对于维持长期健康、高水平的生活质量感知以及减少与年龄相关的衰退的重要性。然而，剧烈训练的适宜性需要由一组体育活动专家进行验证。
