Evidence of a metabolic reserve in the skeletal muscle of elderly people

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether mitochondrial function is limited by O 2 availability or the intrinsic capacity of mitochondria to synthesize ATP in elderly individuals. To this aim, we examined, in comparison to free-flow conditions (FF), the effect of superimposing reactive hyperemia (RH), induced by a period of brief ischemia during the last min of exercise, on O 2 availability and mitochondrial function in the calf muscle. 12 healthy, untrained, elderly subjects performed dynamic plantar flexion exercise and phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( 31 P-MRS), near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), and Doppler ultrasound were used to assess muscle metabolism and peripheral hemodynamics. Limb blood flow [area under the curve (AUC), FF: 1.5±0.5L; RH: 3.2±1.1L, P<0.01] and convective O 2 delivery (AUC, FF: 0.30±0.13L; RH: 0.64±0.29L, P<0.01) were significantly increased in RH in comparison to FF. RH was also associated with significantly higher capillary blood flow (P<0.05) and this resulted in a 33% increase in estimated peak mitochondrial ATP synthesis rate (FF: 24±11 mM.min -1 ; RH: 31±7 mM.min -1 , P<0.05). These results document a hemodynamic reserve in the contracting calf muscle of the elderly accessible by superimposing reactive hyperemia. Furthermore, this increase in O 2 availability enhanced mitochondrial function thus indicating a skeletal muscle metabolic reserve despite advancing age and low level of physical activity.