Older age in rowers was associated with a lower rowing VO2max relative to younger rowers even after correcting for muscle mass (p<0.05).
Cross-Sectional (n=22)
Randomized order of exercise modes
Does aging influence the relationship between aerobic capacity (VO2max) and lean body mass in rowers?
In older rowers, VO2max during rowing remains lower than in younger rowers even after correcting for muscle mass, suggesting aging affects aerobic capacity beyond just the loss of lean body mass.
p-value: p=<0.05
Aging is associated with a fall in maximal aerobic capacity as well as with a decline in lean body mass. The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of aging on the relationship between aerobic capacity and lean body mass in subjects that chronically train both their upper and lower bodies. Eleven older rowers (585 yrs) and 11 younger rowers (274 yrs) participated in the study. Prior to the VO 2 max testing, subjects underwent a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scan to estimate total lean body mass. Subsequently, VO 2 max was quantified during a maximal exercise test on a rowing ergometer as well as a semi-recumbent cycle ergometer. The test protocol included a pre-exercise stage followed by incremental exercise until VO 2 max was reached. The order of exercise modes was randomized and there was a wash-out period between the two tests. Oxygen uptake was obtained via a breath-by-breath metabolic cart (Vmax Encore, San Diego, CA). Rowing VO 2 max was higher than cycling VO 2 max in both groups (p0.05), however, older subjects still demonstrated a lower rowing VO 2 max relative to younger subjects (p<0.05). Muscle mass is associated with the VO 2 max obtained, however, it appears that VO 2 max in older subjects may be less influenced by muscle mass than in younger subjects.
Kim et al. (Mon,) conducted a cross-sectional in Healthy rowers (n=22). Rowing ergometer exercise vs. Semi-recumbent cycle ergometer exercise was evaluated on VO2max (p=<0.05). Older age in rowers was associated with a lower rowing VO2max relative to younger rowers even after correcting for muscle mass (p<0.05).