Effects of ageing on the cardiorespiratory system.

Abstract

Ageing is characterized by a loss of functional capacity. A linear loss from age 30 to 65 years has been described for various measures. After age 65 years, evidence also suggests an accelerated decline in some measures, particularly those of muscle size and function. Nevertheless, up to 85 years, the rate of decline of VO2max across ages appears to remain rather constant. As well, the central cardiovascular capacity, despite some suggested age effects, would appear to be adequate to support the smaller muscle mass. Thus, despite the losses in absolute exercise capacity with age, the ability to sustain a relatively high intensity of aerobic exercise appears preserved. It has also been shown that cardiorespiratory training of older men and women is effective in increasing VO2max and results in the usual changes during submaximal exercise. These benefits of cardiorespiratory training are substantial in that the increases observed compensate for the losses with ageing described over the period of a decade or more.