Relationship between VO2peak, VO2 recovery kinetics, and muscle function in older adults

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Title

Gerontology

Volume

69

Issue

11

First Page

1278

Last Page

1283

PubMed ID

37660695

Publisher

Karger

School

Institute for Nutrition Research / School of Medical and Health Sciences

RAS ID

64699

Funders

Tom Penrose Community Service Award / Exercise and Sport Science Australia / Seed grant from AIMSS / National Heart Foundation of Australia Future Leader Fellowship

Comments

Healy, R. D., Smith, C., Woessner, M. N., & Levinger, I. (2023). Relationship between VO2peak, VO2 recovery kinetics, and muscle function in older adults. Gerontology, 69(11), 1278-1283. https://doi.org/10.1159/000533920

Abstract

Introduction: The efficiency of the cardiovascular system to recover following an exercise bout is measured by oxygen (VO2) recovery kinetics. In older adults with a chronic disease, a higher aerobic capacity (VO2peak) and faster VO2 recovery kinetics are associated with higher muscle strength and physical capacity. Yet, this relationship in healthy older adults remains unclear. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine whether a higher VO2peak and faster VO2 recovery kinetics are associated with higher muscle strength and physical performance in healthy community-dwelling older adults. Methods: Thirty-five healthy older adults (female 25/male 10, mean age 73 ± 6 years) performed a graded exercise test on a cycle ergometer. VO2peak and VO2 recovery kinetics were assessed through gas exchange analysis. Muscle strength was determined by maximal leg (one-repetition maximum on leg press; 1RM) and grip strength, and physical performance was determined by the physical performance test (PPT) which assessed gait speed, stair ascent and descent, and timed up-and-go. Results: Higher VO2peak was associated with stronger leg (r = 0.59, p < 0.001) and grip strength (r = 0.39, p < 0.03), but no relationship to PPT (p > 0.05). There was also no relationship between VO2 recovery kinetics and leg and grip strength or PPT (p > 0.05). Conclusion: In healthy community-dwelling older adults, VO2peak, but not VO2 recovery kinetics, is associated with muscle strength. This suggests that muscle strength may be an important factor related to aerobic capacity that could assist in identifying older adults who should be prioritized for resistance training.

DOI

10.1159/000533920

Access Rights

free_to_read

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