What question did this study set out to answer?

To compare the physiological characteristics of young and older endurance athletes and evaluate factors affecting VO2max.

September 1, 1981Journal of Applied Physiology

A physiological comparison of young and older endurance athletes

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Why the study?

How do physiological and echocardiographic parameters compare between highly trained masters endurance athletes, young athletes, and untrained middle-aged men?

Population

50 men, comprising 16 highly trained masters endurance athletes, 16 young athletes matched on training…

Comparison

Highly trained masters endurance athlete status vs Young endurance athletes and untrained…

Design

Cross-sectional

Authors

GHGregory W. HeathUniversity of Tennessee at Chattanooga JHJames M. HagbergUniversity of Maryland, College Park AEAli A. EhsaniGeneral Cardiology

Discussion

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Implication

Cautions against assuming preserved stroke volume offsets age effects in athletes; leaves open longitudinal validation and intervention targets.

Key Points

To compare the physiological characteristics of young and older endurance athletes and evaluate factors affecting VO2max.
Compared 16 trained masters athletes with 16 young athletes and 18 untrained middle-aged men.
Used echocardiography to evaluate left ventricular volume and mass.
Measured VO2max and maximum heart rate during maximum exercise.
Masters athletes had a VO2max of 58.7 ml.kg-1.min-1, 15% lower than young athletes at 69 ml.kg-1.min-1.
Maximum heart rate was 14% lower in masters athletes (169 beats/min) compared to young athletes (197 beats/min).
O2 pulse during maximum exercise was identical between masters and young athletes.

Structured PICO

How do physiological and echocardiographic parameters compare between highly trained masters endurance athletes, young athletes, and untrained middle-aged men?

Population

50 men, comprising 16 highly trained masters endurance athletes (mean age 59 +/- 6 yr), 16 young athletes matched on training regimens, and 18 untrained middle-aged men.

Intervention

Highly trained masters endurance athlete status

Comparator

Young endurance athletes and untrained middle-aged men

Outcome

Maximum O2 uptake (VO2max) and echocardiographic parameters (left ventricular volume and mass)surrogate

The age-related decline in maximum oxygen uptake in highly trained endurance athletes appears to be primarily driven by a reduction in maximum heart rate rather than a decrease in stroke volume or oxygen extraction.

Cite This Study

Heath et al. (1981) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69d77a06f07a12db70b8b020 https://doi.org/10.1152/jappl.1981.51.3.634

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Implication

Cautions against assuming preserved stroke volume offsets age effects in athletes; leaves open longitudinal validation and intervention targets.

A physiological comparison of young and older endurance athletes

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Structured PICO

Cite This Study

A physiological comparison of young and older endurance athletes

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Structured PICO

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider