The relationships between age and running performance variables in master runners.

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Gerontology
• Sports Science

Background:

• Peak aerobic capacity (V̇O₂peak) typically decreases with advancing age.
• Running economy (RE), a measure of metabolic cost during running, may not decline similarly with age.
• Understanding age-related changes in V̇O₂peak and RE is crucial for master athletes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate V̇O₂peak and RE in master runners.
• To determine the association between age and these physiological measures in runners.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 31 master runners (mean age 54.9 years).
• Participants completed a 5-minute run at marathon intensity (MIE) followed by a V̇O₂peak test.
• Running economy was assessed using allometrically scaled oxygen cost (alloV̇O₂), energy cost (EC), and %V̇O₂peak.

Main Results:

• Age was negatively correlated with V̇O₂peak (r = -0.580, p = 0.001) and alloV̇O₂ (r = -0.454, p = 0.034).
• Females exhibited a positive association between age and EC (r = 0.649, p = 0.042).
• Males showed a negative correlation between age and MIE V̇O₂ (r = -0.600, p = 0.039).

Conclusions:

• Aerobic capacity (V̇O₂peak) declines with age in master runners.
• Allometrically scaled oxygen cost also decreases with age.
• Sex-specific differences exist in age-related alterations to submaximal running energy cost.