Changes in cardiorespiratory function in different groups of former and still active male cross‐country skiers: a 28–30‐year follow‐up study

The aim of the study was to assess longitudinal changes in cardiorespiratory function in different groups of current or former endurance trained male cross-country skiers. Three different age groups (n=122) took part in a similar study in 1976. Of 86 men still alive 78 responded (90.7%). Thirty-two from group I (age 58.7+/-2.3) and 36 from group II (age 74.5+/-2.5) participated in a maximum exercise test. We found significant difference in decline in VO2max between age groups (%/decade: 6.7+/-3.6 vs 13.9+/-3.2; P=0.0001 and in L/min/decade: 0.32+/-0.18 vs 0.53+/-0.14; P=0.0001). Men in group I (but only a tendency in group II) who were still competing and reported unchanged training patterns had a significant attenuated decline in VO2max (%/decade: 4.1+/-3.7 vs 8.1+/-2.8; P=0.003 and L/min: 0.19+/-0.0.17 vs 0.39+/-0.15; P=0.004). This study shows that lifelong endurance training does not stop the decline in VO2max with ageing, but vigorous training is important to attenuate the decline.