Aging, Fitness, and Marathon Times in a 91 Year-old Man Who Competed in 627 Marathons.

Odessa Addison,Andrew Goldberg,Gregory Steinbrenner,Leslie Katzel

doi:10.9734/bjmmr/2015/17946

Odessa Addison, Andrew Goldberg + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.9734/bjmmr/2015/17946

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Abstract

Aging is associated with a decline in maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) that may be attenuated by chronic endurance exercise. This case study chronicles the changes in marathon times in a 91 year old man who completed 627 marathons and 117 ultramarathons over 42 years. He began running marathons at age 48. His yearly best times remained fairly constant at ~240 minutes from age 50 – 64 years and then gradually rose to about 260 minutes in his early seventies followed by a curvilinear deterioration as he approached his ninth decade. His times plateaued at ~ 600 minutes in his late eighties. Between ages 68 and 89 his VO2max declined from 43 to 20 ml/kg/min. His marathon times were highly correlated with his VO2max (r2=0.87). The decline in marathons times and VO2max may reflect the contributions of biological aging, changes in exercise training volume and intensity, injuries, and comorbid disease.

Highlights

Maximal oxygen uptake or VO2max declines with age [1,2,3] and is associated with reductions in functional capacity [4], as well as increased mortality risk [5]
The data is equivocal as some studies find no significant difference in absolute VO2max declines with age in athletes compared to sedentary peers [14], while others find greater absolute declines compared to sedentary individuals [2,3,15]
We previously reported the changes in marathon performance and VO2max in this male, who at age 81 had competed in 591 marathons and ultramarathons [16]

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Maximal oxygen uptake or VO2max declines with age [1,2,3] and is associated with reductions in functional capacity [4], as well as increased mortality risk [5]. The data is equivocal as some studies find no significant difference in absolute VO2max declines with age in athletes compared to sedentary peers [14], while others find greater absolute declines compared to sedentary individuals [2,3,15]. This case report documents the changes in VO2max and health in a master athlete over 20 years

PRESENTATION OF CASE

Participant

Training History and Marathon times

RESULTS

DISCUSSION

CONCLUSION