THE CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS AND AEROBIC CAPACITY AGE-RELATED CHANGES IN MASTER ATHLETES

Abstract

While chronic exercise is known to have a positive influence on lipids in older individuals, numerous research studies have shown that many health and fitness measures decline with aging. PURPOSE To determine the changes of cardiovascular risk factors and aerobic capacity decrement between age and gender in master athletes. Two hundred forty-eight masters athletes (male=155, 59.53 ± 9.45, female=93, 55.38 ± 9.06) participated in the study as subjects. METHODS Coronary risk factors were determined from the resting blood samples taken during the pre-exercise physical examination. VO2max was determined using a continuous, incremental protocol on a motorized treadmill. Blood samples were drawn from the in-dwelling catheter at the end of each minute of exercise. Activity history was determined by questionnaire. Data were analyzed by t-test, with significance determined at p < 0.05. Data is presented as mean ± standard deviation. RESULTS There were significant differences between groups in age (t = −3.403), weight (t = −16.718), and VO2max (t = −3.069). However, TRIG and CHOL were not different between males and females, despite differences in HDL-C (t = 6.137). The best fit equation for triglyceride in males was using a 2nd degree polynomimal fit (y = −0.0489x2 + 5.9225x − 90.329; r2 = 0.0275), the same was true for females (y = −0.0392x2 + 5.1937x − 90.241; r2 = 0.0583). Cholesterol versus age was best described using a linear fit for males (y = 0.2276x + 184.56; r2 = 0.0038) and females (y = 1.8184x + 107.52; r2 = 0.1485). HDL cholesterol was best described with a 2nd degree polynomial fit in males (y = −0.0002x2 + 0.0599x + 60.399; r2 = 0.0006) and females (y = −0.0372x2 + 3.8433x − 17.606; r2 = 0.0539). CONCLUSION We conclude that, using cross-sectional methods, the kinetics of the age related changes in blood lipids are similar between males and females.