THE EFFECTS OF AGE ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE LACTATE THRESHOLD (LT) AND VO2 PEAK 908

Abstract

To examine the effects of age on the relationship between the lactate threshold and VO2 peak; 43 subjects were categorized as young males(YM, n = 9, age = 31.1 ± 6.4 yr.), older males (OM, n = 13, age = 66.8± 4.7 yr.), young females YF, n = 11, age = 28.8 ± 1.7 yr.), and older females (OF, n = 10, age = 66.7 ± 6.0 yr.). Each subject completed an incremental protocol on a treadmill (3 min stages, 10 m/min increments), during which blood lactate, heart rate, VO2, and RPE were measured. Results are presented below [mean (SD)]:Table Two way ANOVA (gender × age) with post hoc analysis revealed: 1) VO2 LT and VO2 peak values were significantly lower in females and older subjects (P < 0.05); 2) The difference in VO2 peak between older and younger subjects was greater than the difference in VO2 LT resulting in a significantly higher VO2 LT/VO2 peak in older subjects (P < 0.05); and 3) age and gender did not affect RPE at the LT, but OF had lower peak RPE values (P < 0.05). Results indicate that VO2 peak may be altered by age to a greater degree than VO2 LT and suggest VO2 peak by itself may not be the best indicator of reduced functional capacity with age.