Peak anaerobic power in elderly men

Abstract

The relationship of maximal anaerobic power (P _max) of the quadriceps muscle and corresponding optimal shortening velocity (v _opt) with age, habitual physical activity (PA) and maximal oxygen consumption (V˙O_{2 max} ) were assessed in 37 healthy older [71.1 (SD 3.8) years] men and compared to those of 16 young [22.7 (SD 3.4) years] men. The PA was evaluated using a questionnaire. The P _max and v _opt were measured on a friction loaded non-isokinetic cycle ergometer. The P _max was expressed relative to body mass –P _{max · kg−1}, and relative to the mass of the two quadriceps muscles –P _{max · kgquad−1}. The decline of P _{max · kg−1} from youth to advanced age (8.3% per decade) was greater than the decrease in quadriceps muscle mass (3.8% per decade), in P _{max · kgquad−1} (5.9% per decade) and in v _opt (4.3% per decade). In the older men, a negative relationship of P _{max · kg−1} (r = −0.33) and P _{max · kgquad−1} (r = −0.44) with age was found. Ergometer measurements were not correlated with PA activity indices or V˙O_{2 max} , while V˙O_{2 max} was positively associated with PA. In a multiple stepwise regression analysis age was the only variable that contributed significantly to P _{max · kg−1} and P _{max · kgquad−1} variances. Our findings indicated that in these healthy elderly men, unlike the fall in V˙O_{2 max} , habitual PA did not attenuate the decline in P _max of the quadriceps muscle with age. This finding was different from a previously described relationship in older women and would suggest sex differences in determining P _max in healthy older subjects.