You're Not Getting Better, You're Getting Older (Watch Out!)

We always knew that as populations age, physical functions such as strength and aerobic capacity decline. Scientists assume from data collected through cross-sectional studies that regular strenuous exercise slows the rate of decline. However, a new study published in the July 25 edition of the American Heart Association online journal Circulation debunks those assumptions as "overly optimistic", at least concerning aerobic capacity.

Dr. Jerome L. Fleg, et al., followed "375 women and 435 men ages 21 to 87 years from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, a community-dwelling cohort free of clinical heart disease, over a median follow-up period of 7.9 years."

The disappointing findings that emerge after performing repeated measurements of peak treadmill oxygen consumption (peak VO2) indicate that "the rate of decline [of VO2 Max] accelerated from 3% to 6% per 10 years in the 20s and 30s to more than 20% per 10 years in the 70s and beyond", regardless of activity level.

Fleg points out, however, that although everybody in the same age cohort declines in function at the same rate, starting out at a higher level of function does put those fit individuals at a distinct advantage.

Dr. Nieca Golberg, cardiologist and chief of Women's Cardiac Care at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City notes that, "People who have low aerobic capacity may not even be able to make it to their bed." Conversely, people who exercise regularly do pretty well with their daily activities of life as they age.

Goldberg stresses the importance of high-level activity so that elders remain independent as long as possible. She says, "What I really don't want people to take away from this study is 'don't bother'."