Key result
Aging in highly trained endurance athletes links to a VO2peak decline of ~0.75 mL/kg/min annually.
Why the study?
The upper limits of aerobic capacity and rate of VO2peak decline across the lifespan in highly trained males and females remain poorly defined.
Cross-Sectional (n=1,145)
Yes
Effect estimate: 0.75 mL·kg−¹·min−¹·yr−¹
In highly trained endurance athletes, VO2peak declines at a similar absolute rate in both sexes, but females experience a greater relative loss of aerobic capacity with age due to lower initial baseline values.
Should not yet change athlete counseling; leaves open need for longitudinal confirmation of uniform decline.
Background Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2peak) declines with advancing age, the upper limits of aerobic capacity along with the rate of decline in highly trained males and females across the lifespan remains poorly defined. Purpose To identify sex-specific trajectories of age-related decline in VO2peak amongst highly trained male and female endurance athletes. Methods We conducted an international multi-centre cross-sectional analysis using data from 1,145 endurance athletes (932 males, 213 females) across 1,607 cardiopulmonary exercise tests performed on an upright cycle ergometer. We identified males and females with the highest 10 VO2peak values for each decade from 10-19 to 70-79 years. Multiple linear regression examined age-sex relationships, with cumulative and percentage decline calculated relative to the peak values observed in the 20-29 age group. Results The highest VO2peak values occurred in age group 20-29 (males: 83.3±3.0, females: 67.1±3.4 mL·kg−¹·min−¹). Multiple linear regression revealed no significant age-sex interaction, with both sexes declining at 0.75 mL·kg−¹·min−¹·yr−¹. Independent of age, males demonstrated a 14.3 mL·kg−¹·min−¹ higher VO2peak compared to females. High levels of aerobic capacity persisted into advanced age groups, with 60-69-year males averaged 55.7±1.5 and females 48.6±1.4 mL·kg−¹·min−¹. In the oldest age groups evaluated (70-79 years in males, 60-69 years in females), cumulative VO2peak decline reached 51% in males and 49% (60-69 years) in females relative to 20-29 age group. Conclusion Despite similar absolute VO2peak decline rates between sexes, the lower initial VO2peak in females results in greater relative aerobic capacity loss with age. These findings establish benchmarks for maximal physiological adaptation to endurance training and provide insights into sex-specific parameters of human aerobic performance across the lifespan.
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Cullen et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Highly trained endurance athletes (n=1,145). Advancing age vs. Younger age (20-29 years) was evaluated on Age-related decline in VO2peak (0.75 mL·kg−¹·min−¹·yr−¹). Advancing age in highly trained endurance athletes was associated with a VO2peak decline of 0.75 mL·kg−¹·min−¹·yr−¹ in both sexes.
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