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Does chronic exercise attenuate age-related physiological decline in males?
Lawrence D Hayes1, Fergal M Grace, Nick Sculthorpe
1a Institute of Clinical Exercise and Health Science, University of the West of Scotland , Hamilton , United Kingdom.
Research in Sports Medicine (Print)
|September 27, 2013
Summary
Master athletes maintain better physical function and hormone levels than sedentary individuals. Lifelong exercise helps attenuate age-related declines in body composition and testosterone.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Gerontology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Aging leads to detrimental changes in body composition, physical function, and metabolism.
- Regular exercise can mitigate many age-related physiological declines.
- Master athletes represent a population that has engaged in lifelong physical activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare exercise capabilities, anthropometry, and hormone profiles of master athletes (MA) with age-matched sedentary individuals (S).
- To investigate the relationship between aerobic capacity and testosterone levels in master athletes.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study comparing 20 master athletes with 28 sedentary individuals.
- Assessed maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), peak power output, blood pressure, body composition (body fat percentage, fat-free mass), and salivary testosterone and cortisol levels.
Main Results:
- Master athletes exhibited significantly higher VO2max, peak power output, and salivary testosterone compared to sedentary individuals (p < 0.05).
- Master athletes had significantly lower diastolic blood pressure, systolic blood pressure, and body fat percentage (p < 0.05).
- Salivary testosterone positively correlated with VO2max (r² = 0.320).
Conclusions:
- Lifelong exercise training in master athletes is associated with superior physical function and favorable body composition.
- Consistent physical activity may attenuate the age-related decline in testosterone levels.
- Higher aerobic capacity is linked to higher testosterone concentrations in older adults.
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