Oxidative capacity of human muscle fiber types: effects of age and training status

Morphometry and oxidative capacity of slow-twitch (type I) and fast-twitch (type IIa and IIb) muscle fibers obtained from vastus lateralis needle biopsies were compared between younger (21-30 yr) and older (51-62 yr) normal fit (maximal O2 uptake = 47.0 vs. 32.3 ml.kg-1.min-1) and endurance-trained (66.3 vs. 52.7 ml.kg-1.min-1) men (n = 6/group). The older groups had smaller type IIa (31%) and IIb (40%) fiber areas and fewer capillaries surrounding these fibers than did younger groups. The reduced type II fiber areas and capillary contacts associated with aging were also observed in the older trained men. However, the capillary supply per unit type II fiber area was not affected by age but was enhanced by training. Additionally, on the basis of quantitative histochemical analysis, succinate dehydrogenase activities of type IIa fibers in the older trained men [4.07 +/- 0.68 (SD) mmol.min-1.l-1] were similar to those observed in younger trained men (4.00 +/- 0.48 mmol.min-1.l-1) and twofold higher than in older normal fit men (2.01 +/- 0.65 mmol.min-1.l-1; age x fitness interaction, P < 0.05). Type I muscle fibers were unaffected by age but were larger and had more capillary contacts and higher succinate dehydrogenase activities in the trained groups. The findings of this study suggest that aging results in a decrease in type II fiber size and oxidative capacity in healthy men and that this latter effect can be prevented by endurance training. Conclusions regarding the effects of age and training status on muscle capillarization depend largely on how these data are expressed.