Nine lifelong cross-country skiers, with a mean age of 81 years and a history of aerobic exercise and participation in endurance events throughout their lives, were examined to determine whole body aerobic capacity and myocellular markers of oxidative metabolism. A cycle test was used to measure aerobic capacity (VO2 max) and a resting vastus lateralis muscle biopsy was used to measure oxidative enzymes associated with muscle health. Six age-matched, healthy, untrained men were used as a comparison. Results indicated that the athletes had a higher absolute (2.6 vs. 1.6 L•min(-1)) and relative (38 vs. 21 ml•kg(-1)•min(-1)) aerobic capacity, heart rate (160 vs. 146 b•min(-1)), and final workload (182 vs. 131 watts). Among athletes, muscle oxidative enzymes were 54% (citrate synthase) and 42% (βHAD) higher. In summary, compared to their counterparts, the life long athletes had better cardiovascular and skeletal muscle health that was associated with lower risk for disability and mortality. (3)
