Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol 68, Issue 5 1896-1901, Copyright © 1990 by American Physiological Society

ARTICLES

Histochemical and enzymatic characteristics of skeletal muscle in master athletes

A. R. Coggan, R. J. Spina, M. A. Rogers, D. S. King, M. Brown, P. M. Nemeth and J. O. Holloszy
Section of Applied Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110.

Many older athletes are capable of endurance performances equal to those of young runners who have higher maximal O2 uptakes (VO2max). To determine whether this is a result of differences in skeletal muscle characteristics, gastrocnemius muscle biopsy samples were obtained from eight master athletes [aged 63 +/- 6 (SD) yr] and eight young (aged 26 +/- 3 yr) runners. The young runners were matched with the master athletes for 10-km running performance and for their volume, pace, and type of training. Despite similar 10-km run times, VO2max was 11% lower (P less than 0.05) in the master athletes. Fiber type distribution did not differ between groups, with both groups having 60% type I and very few type IIb fibers. Succinate dehydrogenase and beta-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase activities, however, were 31 and 24% higher in the master athletes compared with the matched young runners, whereas lactate dehydrogenase activity was 46% lower (all P less than 0.05). The capillary-to-fiber ratio was also greater in the master athletes; however, capillary density was similar in the two groups, because of the master athletes' 34% larger (P less than 0.05) type I fibers. These differences in skeletal muscle characteristics may explain the master athletes' ability to perform as well as some young runners despite having a lower VO2max.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				I. R. Lanza, D. K. Short, K. R. Short, S. Raghavakaimal, R. Basu, M. J. Joyner, J. P. McConnell, and K. S. Nair Endurance Exercise as a Countermeasure for Aging Diabetes, November 1, 2008; 57(11): 2933 - 2942. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Cui, Y. Ju, L. Ding, M. Trejo-Morales, and I. M. Olfert Arteriolar and Venular Capillary Distribution in Skeletal Muscles of Old Rats J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., September 1, 2008; 63(9): 928 - 935. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Tanaka and D. R. Seals Endurance exercise performance in Masters athletes: age-associated changes and underlying physiological mechanisms J. Physiol., January 1, 2008; 586(1): 55 - 63. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. P. Gavin, R. S. Ruster, J. A. Carrithers, K. A. Zwetsloot, R. M. Kraus, C. A. Evans, D. J. Knapp, J. L. Drew, J. S. McCartney, J. P. Garry, et al. No difference in the skeletal muscle angiogenic response to aerobic exercise training between young and aged men J. Physiol., November 15, 2007; 585(1): 231 - 239. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. V. Menshikova, V. B. Ritov, R. E. Ferrell, K. Azuma, B. H. Goodpaster, and D. E. Kelley Characteristics of skeletal muscle mitochondrial biogenesis induced by moderate-intensity exercise and weight loss in obesity J Appl Physiol, July 1, 2007; 103(1): 21 - 27. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. N. Croley, K. A. Zwetsloot, L. M. Westerkamp, N. A. Ryan, A. M. Pendergast, R. C. Hickner, W. E. Pofahl, and T. P. Gavin Lower capillarization, VEGF protein, and VEGF mRNA response to acute exercise in the vastus lateralis muscle of aged vs. young women J Appl Physiol, November 1, 2005; 99(5): 1872 - 1879. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K S. Nair Aging muscle Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, May 1, 2005; 81(5): 953 - 963. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Pruchnic, A. Katsiaras, J. He, D. E. Kelley, C. Winters, and B. H. Goodpaster Exercise training increases intramyocellular lipid and oxidative capacity in older adults Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, November 1, 2004; 287(5): E857 - E862. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P Jokl, P M Sethi, and A J Cooper Master's performance in the New York City Marathon 1983-1999 Br. J. Sports Med., August 1, 2004; 38(4): 408 - 412. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Lawrenson, J. Hoff, and R. S. Richardson Aging attenuates vascular and metabolic plasticity but does not limit improvement in muscle VO2 max Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, April 1, 2004; 286(4): H1565 - H1572. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. A. Hawkins, R. A. Wiswell, and T. J. Marcell Exercise and the Master Athlete--A Model of Successful Aging? J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., November 1, 2003; 58(11): M1009 - 1011. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. A. Wiswell, S. A. Hawkins, S. V. Jaque, D. Hyslop, N. Constantino, K. Tarpenning, T. Marcell, and E. T. Schroeder Relationship Between Physiological Loss, Performance Decrement, and Age in Master Athletes J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., October 1, 2001; 56(10): M618 - 626. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. E. Morley Editorial: The Aging Athlete J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., November 1, 2000; 55(11): 627M - 629. [Full Text]

				F. C. Hagerman, S. J. Walsh, R. S. Staron, R. S. Hikida, R. M. Gilders, T. F. Murray, K. Toma, and K. E. Ragg Effects of High-Intensity Resistance Training on Untrained Older Men. I. Strength, Cardiovascular, and Metabolic Responses J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., July 1, 2000; 55(7): 336B - 346. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				M. T. Galloway and P. Jokl Aging Successfully: The Importance of Physical Activity in Maintaining Health and Function J. Am. Acad. Ortho. Surg., January 1, 2000; 8(1): 37 - 44. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Skorjanc, I. Traub, and D. Pette Identical responses of fast muscle to sustained activity by low-frequency stimulation in young and aging rats J Appl Physiol, August 1, 1998; 85(2): 437 - 441. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. T. Kirkendall and W. E. Garrett Jr The Effects of Aging and Training on Skeletal Muscle Am. J. Sports Med., July 1, 1998; 26(4): 598 - 602. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. FLOREZ-DUQUET and R. B. McDONALD Cold-Induced Thermoregulation and Biological Aging Physiol Rev, April 1, 1998; 78(2): 339 - 358. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. N. Proctor and M. J. Joyner Skeletal muscle mass and the reduction of VO2 max in trained older subjects J Appl Physiol, May 1, 1997; 82(5): 1411 - 1415. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]