Rise and Fall of Physical Capacity in a General Population: A 47-Year Longitudinal Study.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology and Exercise Physiology
• Longitudinal Human Performance Studies

Background:

• Age-related decline in skeletal muscle and function impacts health and independence, particularly after age 50.
• Elite athlete data suggests performance decline begins before age 35, hinting at earlier processes in the general population.
• A population-based longitudinal study is crucial to validate these observations in non-athletes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the longitudinal changes in physical capacity across the adult lifespan in a general population cohort.
• To determine if the pattern of physical decline observed in elite athletes is also present in the general population.
• To identify factors associated with physical capacity changes over time.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Swedish population cohort (SPAF) with 427 participants (48% women) born in 1958.
• Conducted repeated objective assessments of physical capacity from age 16 to 63.
• Employed linear mixed models to analyze age- and sex-specific changes in physical performance.

Main Results:

• Maximal aerobic capacity and muscular endurance peaked between ages 26-36 and declined progressively, accelerating with age.
• Muscle power peaked earlier (men: 27 years; women: 19 years), with significant variance increase across lifespan.
• Overall physical capacity decline from peak to age 63 ranged from 30% to 48%; higher physical activity and education were associated with better performance.

Conclusions:

• The general population exhibits a similar pattern of adult physical capacity decline as elite athletes.
• Physical capacity decline can commence before age 40, potentially leading to clinically significant dysfunction later in life.
• Sedentary lifestyles exacerbate age-related physical decline, highlighting the importance of sustained physical activity.