Purpose Maximal oxygen uptake (<InlineEquation ID="IEq1"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\(\:\dot{\text{V}}\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation>O2max) decays with aging due to decreased maximal cardiac output (<InlineEquation ID="IEq2"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\(\:\dot{\text{Q}}\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation>max) and the development of progressive sarcopenia and mitochondrial dysfunctions. The study aimed to develop a quantitative analysis of central and peripheral factors in eliciting the observed progressive drop of <InlineEquation ID="IEq3"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\(\:\dot{\text{V}}\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation>O2max across the spectrum of ages ranging from about 30 yy to 85–90 yy. Methods We applied to <InlineEquation ID="IEq4"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\(\:\dot{\text{V}}\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation>O2max, <InlineEquation ID="IEq5"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\(\:\dot{\text{Q}}\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation>max, and maximal oxygen cardiovascular delivery (<InlineEquation ID="IEq6"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\(\:\dot{\text{Q}}\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation>aO2max) values obtained from literature, a multifactorial model of <InlineEquation ID="IEq7"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\(\:\dot{\text{V}}\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation>O2max limitation describing the progressive drop of the PO2 along the pathway from ambient air to mitochondria composed of several steps in series, each of them considered as a resistance (Ri) that must be overcome by a pressure gradient (ΔPi). The proposed analysis allowed us to estimate: (i) the maximal oxygen extraction coefficient (O2ext, max) and (ii) the changes of the peripheral resistance (Rp) hindering O2 muscular utilization. Results O2ext, max progressively decays from 0.80 at 20 yy to 0.60 at 75–80 yy; Rp almost doubles over the same interval of inspected ages. Conclusions The analysis implemented using data published in the literature suggests that the progressive increase of Rp remarkably contributes to the observed gradual decay of <InlineEquation ID="IEq8"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\(\:\dot{\text{V}}\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation>O2max observed with aging, perhaps more than the progressive drop in the maximal cardiovascular transport of oxygen.

Cardiovascular and peripheral factors affecting the decay of maximal oxygen uptake across the spectrum of age in humans

期刊论文
发表日期：

2025年10月29日

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Carlo Capelli,
G. Ferretti,
P. E. di Prampero,
E. Tam

摘要

Purpose

Maximal oxygen uptake ( \(\:\dot{\text{V}}\) O_2max) decays with aging due to decreased maximal cardiac output ( \(\:\dot{\text{Q}}\) _max) and the development of progressive sarcopenia and mitochondrial dysfunctions. The study aimed to develop a quantitative analysis of central and peripheral factors in eliciting the observed progressive drop of \(\:\dot{\text{V}}\) O_2max across the spectrum of ages ranging from about 30 yy to 85–90 yy.

Methods

We applied to \(\:\dot{\text{V}}\) O_2max, \(\:\dot{\text{Q}}\) _max, and maximal oxygen cardiovascular delivery ( \(\:\dot{\text{Q}}\) _aO_2max) values obtained from literature, a multifactorial model of \(\:\dot{\text{V}}\) O_2max limitation describing the progressive drop of the PO₂ along the pathway from ambient air to mitochondria composed of several steps in series, each of them considered as a resistance (R_i) that must be overcome by a pressure gradient (ΔP_i). The proposed analysis allowed us to estimate: (i) the maximal oxygen extraction coefficient (O_{2ext, max}) and (ii) the changes of the peripheral resistance (R_p) hindering O₂ muscular utilization.

Results

O_{2ext, max} progressively decays from 0.80 at 20 yy to 0.60 at 75–80 yy; R_p almost doubles over the same interval of inspected ages.

Conclusions

The analysis implemented using data published in the literature suggests that the progressive increase of R_p remarkably contributes to the observed gradual decay of \(\:\dot{\text{V}}\) O_2max observed with aging, perhaps more than the progressive drop in the maximal cardiovascular transport of oxygen.