Anaerobic and aerobic peak power output and the force-velocity relationship in endurance-trained athletes: effects of aging

Abstract

The aim of this investigation was to test the hypothesis that the anaerobic peak power output (P _{an, peak}) declines more than the peak aerobic power (P _{aer, peak}) with increasing age. In addition, the force-velocity (F-ν) relationship was studied to determine which of these two factors is primarily responsible for the expected alterations in anaerobic power. TheP _{an, peak}, the maximalF when ν is equal to zero (F ₀) and the maximal ν whenF is equal to zero (ν₀) were assessed byF-ν test i.e. a brief intense intermittent exercise test using incremental braking forces. TheP _{aer, peak} was measured by a maximal increment exercise test. A group of 12 young athletes (YA) and 12 master athletes (MA) mean age 24.8 (SEM 1.3) and 65.1 (SEM 1.2) years, respectively, participated in this study. The YA and MA had similar body masses, heights and endurance training schedules. The results showed thatP _{an, peak} was 42.7% lower in the older subjects, corresponding to mean values of 1089 (SEM 40) compared to 624 (SEM 33) W (t = 8.9,P < 0.001) for YA compared to MA, respectively. TheF ₀ andV ₀ indices showed values that were lower by 30.3% and 15.2%, respectively. TheP _{aer, peak} was 35 % lower with mean values of 323 (SEM 12) W for YA compared to 210 (SEM 6) W for MA (t = 8.3,P < 0.001). The mean maximal oxygen uptake was 34.7% lower with 4240 (SEM 160) ml · min⁻¹ for YA compared to 2770 (SEM 120) ml · min⁻¹ for MA(t = 7.2,P < 0.001).TheP _{an, peak}:P _{aer, peak} ratio and ν₀/F ₀coefficient were 12.1% lower and 18.4% higher, respectively. In summary, this study showed that in endurance-trained athletes, the age-related difference inP _{an, peak} was significantly greater than that ofP _{aer, peak}. Similarly, the age-related difference inF was significantly greater than that in ν.