Effect of ageing and physical activity on cardiovascular function

Ageing is associated with vascular dysfunction and a reduced capacity of the central circulation to deliver O2 to the contracting muscles. The purpose of present study was to investigate whether a physical active lifestyle can maintain a sufficient exercise hyperemia and the influence of the active muscle mass. Central and limb hemodynamics were determined in 8 young (Y) (23±1 years), 8 lifelong sedentary elderly (LSE) (66±2 years) and lifelong active elderly (LAE) (62±2 years) men during incremental cycling with and without simultaneous arm cycling (50w). Peak workload was higher in the LAE compared to Y and LSE (294±15; 216±10; 213±8 W; P<0.05). Leg blood flow (LBF) increased similarly in LAE and LSE, but peak values were higher in LAE and Y compared to LSE (7.8±0.5; 8.6±0.4 vs. 6.4±0.4 l/min; P<0.05). Leg a‐vO2 difference was higher in LAE compared to the Y and LSE at all workloads (P<0.05), whereas leg VO2 was higher in LAE and Y compared to LSE at exhaustion (P<0.05). During combined arm and leg cycling LBF, leg a‐vO2 difference and VO2 was lower in Y and LSE compared to leg cycling alone (P<0.05). Mean arterial pressure increased in all groups but was lower in Y (P<0.05). These results demonstrate that lifelong physical activity can maintain aerobic power despite a lower exercise hyperemia by an increase in O2 extraction. Supported by the Lundbeck Foundation and Augustinus Foundation