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Int J Sports Med 1984; 05(4): 167-173
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1025899
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Endurance Training, V̇O2 max, and OBLA: A Longitudinal Study of Two Different Age Groups*

C. Denis, D. Dormois, J. R. Lacour
  • Laboratoire de Physiologie, U.E.R. de Médecine, Université de Saint-Etienne, France
* This study was supported by l'Association pour le Fonctionnement de l'lnstitut de Médecine du Sport de Saint-Etienne.
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Publication Date:
14 March 2008 (online)

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Abstract

This study examined the effect of a 20-week training program of two groups: six middle-aged men (37 ± 4 yrs) (GIT ) and six young male subjects (20 ± 1 yrs) (GIIT ). The training program consisted of bicycle ergometer exercise, 1 h/day, 3.5 days/week at a work load corresponding to 80%-85% of HR max. Before (So) and at the end of the training program (S20), measurements of V̇O2max, maximal work load (MWL), net efficiency, onset of blood lactate accumulation, absolute (OBLAw), and relative to MWL (OBLA%) were made on GIT and GIIT groups and on a third group (21 ± 2 yrs) (GIIC ), used as a control. Muscle fiber composition of m. vastus lateralis was studied after training for GIT and before and after the training period for GIIT and GIIC . V̇O2max (ml·kg-1·min-1), which was initially similar in GIT and GIIT (49 ml·kg-1·min-1), increased significantly by 8% in GIT and by 19% in GIIT . OBLAW increased significantly to the same level in the two groups (38% and 42%, respectively). OBLA % increased significantly (20%) in GIT only. In the groups studied (GIIT ), no change was observed for muscle fiber composition. % ST fiber type did not correlate to OBLAW or OBLA % SO values nor to OBLAW and OBLA % changes during training. This leads to the conclusion that age and the initial physical fitness were the two major factors affecting the outcome of this endurance training program upon the two groups. Further research is needed to establish which of these two factors is the most influential.

Key words

endurance training - V̇O2max - anaerobic threshold - blood lactate - ageing - Muscle fibre composition