Effects of Short-Term Cessation of Statin Therapy on Aerobic Exercise Performance in Physically Active Older Adults

Abstract

Active individuals and particularly physically active older adults may be vulnerable to the adverse muscular side effects of statins, but the effects of statin use on exercise performance in physically active older adults has not been examined. PURPOSE: To determine if short-term cessation of statin therapy would improve aerobic exercise performance in physically active, older endurance athletes. METHODS: Physically active older adults on statin therapy ≥6 mo (n = 15 (13 M); 58±10 y) or not taking lipid-lowering medications (n = 19 (12 M); 51±9 y) were recruited. Subjects completed a maximal oxygen consumption (VO2peak) and time to exhaustion test (75% of VO2peak) on a cycle ergometer 2-7 d apart. Baseline testing procedures were repeated following 1 mo of statin cessation (28±3 d) or a 1 mo control period for non-statin users (31±10 d; P = 0.24 between groups). Questionnaires were administered at baseline and at 1 mo to assess exercise history and subjective muscle complaints. Subjects were instructed not to alter their training regime during the 1 mo period. RESULTS: Statin users reported no to little muscle complaints at baseline and habitual participation in endurance training activities was similar between groups (P = 0.12). Compared to non-statin users, active adults taking a statin were older (P<0.05) and had lower VO2peak (36.9±9.2 ml/kg/min vs. 43.1±4.9 ml/kg/min; P = 0.02) and maximum heart rates (154±18 bpm vs. 166±14 bpm; P = 0.03), despite a similar workload at maximal exercise (221±65 W vs. 238±42 W for statin users and non-users, respectively; P = 0.36). Absolute (P = 0.55) and relative VO2peak (P = 0.58) following 1 mo of statin cessation was unchanged from baseline in statin users. Muscular fatigue assessed as cycling time to exhaustion was lower (P = 0.06) in statin (22.2±4.4 min) versus non-statin users (26.0±6.3 min), and did not change with statin cessation (P = 0.95). No changes were observed in non-statin users when tests were repeated 1 mo later (P≥0.38). CONCLUSION: Short-term cessation of statin therapy does not alter maximal aerobic capacity or muscular fatigue in asymptomatic, physically active older adults. Supported by a Hartford Healthcare Open Competition Grant