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Modelling the Influence of Fat‐Free Mass and Physical Activity on the Decline in Maximal Oxygen Uptake with Age in Older Humans
Author(s) -
Amara Catherine E.,
Koval John J.,
Johnson Patrick J.,
Paterson Donald H.,
Winter Edward M.,
Cunningham David A.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
experimental physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.925
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1469-445X
pISSN - 0958-0670
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-445x.2000.02066.x
Subject(s) - fat free mass , vo2 max , sarcopenia , oxygen , medicine , chemistry , endocrinology , fat mass , body mass index , heart rate , blood pressure , organic chemistry
The purpose of this study was to use an allometric model (maximal oxygen uptake (V̇ O2 ,max ) = FFMb1 × PAb2 × exp(b0 + b3 age + b4 sex) ×ε) to determine the influence of fat‐free mass (FFM), physical activity (PA), sex and age on V̇ O2 ,max in older men (n = 152) and women (n = 146) aged 55‐86 years. V̇ O2 ,max was measured during a fatigue‐limited treadmill test, FFM was determined from skinfold thickness and physical activity by the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity questionnaire. The model was linearised by taking the natural logarithm of V̇ O2 ,max , FFM and physical activity. Variables were selected using multiple linear regression (P < 0.05). The sex variable was not significant (P = 0.062). The model explained 72.1% of the variance in V̇ O2 ,max . Significant individual coefficients were incorporated into the model yielding the following expression: V̇ O2 ,max = FFM0.971 × PA0.026 × exp(‐2.48 – 0.015age). Therefore, FFM and physical activity were significant factors contributing to the changes in V̇ O2 ,max with age. In addition, controlling for FFM and physical activity abolished sex differences in V̇ O2 ,max . The rate of decline in V̇ O2 ,max (after accounting for FFM and physical activity) with age, was approximately 15% per decade.