Fountain of Youth: High Intensity Aerobic Endurance Training

Abstract

PURPOSE: Endurance performance declines with age. It is uncertain to what extent this is due to the ageing process or may be a result of reduced activity. This study investigated responses to aerobic endurance training in young and old with the same aerobic capacity baseline. METHODS: 24 ± 3yr (n=13) and 60±3yr (n=13) old males were matched on initial maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) (3.8 ± 0.7 L · min-1 and 3.7 ± 0.4 L · min-1, respectively) and then trained high aerobic intensity cycling (4×4min) 3 times a week for 8 weeks. All subjects were unfamiliar with the training modality. RESULTS: Both groups improved VO2max and power output (W) from baseline, but young showed a larger increase than old (12.8 ± 5.5% vs. 7.6 ± 9.8% and 19.8 ± 4.7% vs. 14.4 ± 7.1%, p<0.05, respectively). Cardiac output, maximal stroke volume, and arteriovenous oxygen difference increased from pre to posttest within groups (p<0.05), but no differences between groups were observed (p=0.301; p=0.193; p=0.384, respectively). There were no differences in bodyweight (kg) between groups at pretest (76 ± 11 and 77 ± 6) or following the training intervention (p=0.185) CONCLUSION: Young males display larger aerobic endurance training adaptations than old males. However, the highly trained old males yield a great potential for further improvement from an initial high baseline.