Introductory Lecture Aging: 8/24
Class, the introductory lecture was not from the text. Therefore I am summarizing the key points of all three studies presented with scholarly questions following each study.

Melov, S. et al. (2007). Resistance exercise reverses aging in human skeletal muscle. PloS ONE, 2(5): e465.
A. Some Muscle basic information
1. Loss of muscle and deficits in strength begin to occur at 40 yr.
2. Causes of muscle aging: oxidative stress, cell death, inflammation, hormonal dysregulation, inactivity, alterations in protein turnover, mitochondrial dysfunction
B. The study
1. 26 males and females (ave age = 68 yr), physically active on 3 days/week
2. 25 males and females (ave age = 24 yr), modest physical activity
3. All subjects were non-smokers; no orthopedic limitations; no coronary heart disease (CAD)
4. Resistance training 2 days/wk for 26 weeks
5. Chest press, leg press, leg extension, leg flexion, shoulder press, lat pull, seated row, calf raise, crunches, back extension, biceps curls, triceps extension
6. Initially trained with single set at 50% of 1 RM and increased to 3 sets at 80% of 1RM
7. Results of muscle biopsies and RNA analysis
8. 179 genes associated with age and exercise showed a reversal of gene expression
9. Gene expressions of the resistance trained older subjects was similar to younger group
10. Mitochondrial impairment, normally seen with inactivity, reversing with 6 months of training
11. Progressive resistance training improves skeletal muscle's 'longevity' profile at the molecular level (other research-based benefits of resistance exercise include increase in bone mineral density, increase in muscle mass, increase in muscular strength and endurance, increase in glucose metabolism, lower incidence of chronic diseases, improved psychological well-being)
Scholarly Questions to help Prepare for Exam
1) What is the main finding of this study?
2) Name/Describe several other health benefits of resistance training?
3) Explain the following causes of muscle aging: oxidative stress, cell death, inflammation, hormonal dysregulation, inactivity, alterations in protein turnover, mitochondrial dysfunction


Shephard, R. J. (2008). Maximal oxygen intake and independence in old age. British Journal of Sports Medicine Online First, April 10, 2008, pp 1-19.
A. A review of 30 studies (since 1990) with subjects age 64 yr or older
B. Investigated the relationship of aerobic activity, aging and VO2max
C. Findings of this review:
D. Men: VO2max tends to drop 5 ml/kg/min each decade starting at age 20 (drop fro 45 ml/kg/min)
E. Women: VO2max tends to drop 5 ml/kg/min each decade starting at age 35 (drop from 38 ml/kg/min)
F. Decline largely due to physical inactivity and increase in body fat
G. Once VO2max drops to 18 ml/kg/min for men and 15 ml/kg/min for women a person loses functional independence
H. Aerobic activity (ex. brisk walking) can retard decline significantly
I. 8-10 weeks training: VO2max improves 12.9%
J. 12-18 weeks training: VO2max improves 14.1%
K. 24-52 weeks training: VO2max improves 16.9%
L. Higher intensities=greater gains (25% increase = increase in 6 ml/kg/min) (75% - 85% HRR)
M. Equivalent to gain back 12 years of vigor
N. Link between VO2max and functional independence: Improved aerobic fitness helps to combat coronary heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity and some forms of cancer. Aerobic exercise also builds muscle power to help prevent falls and improve recovery time from injuries.
O. “Progressive aerobic training can boost the aerobic power of the elderly by at least 10 ml/kg/min, potentially delaying the loss of independence by as much as 20 years.”
Scholarly Questions to Help Prepare for Exam
1) What isVO2max (also referred to as aerobic capacity)?
2) What is the link between VO2 max and functional independence?
3) What is the main conclusion of the author (see Point 'O' above)?
4) Does higher exercise intensity elicit greater health benefits?
5) Why do women have a delay in the decrease in VO2 max as compared to men?


Mozaffarian, D. et al. (2009). Lifestyle risk factors and new-onset diabetes mellitus in older adults. Archives of Internal Medicine, 169(8), 798-807.
A. “Diabetes deaths are likely to increase by more than 50% in the next 10 yrs.” WHO, 2009
C. 4,883 males/females &Mac179;65 years of age at baseline; followed 10 years
D. Can reduce diabetes 89% (5 healthy ways)
12. Physical activity and pace: minimum of 30 minutes/day at a brisk pace
13. Diet: positive ratio of polyunsaturated fat to saturated fat, low trans fat intake
14. Light/moderate alcohol intake (&Mac178;2 drinks/day)
15. No smoking
16. BMI <25 (kg/m2) and/or waist girth: women <88 cm (35 in), men <92 cm (36 in)
17. Joint Conference 49th Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention
18. 'Subjects who average less than 6 hours of sleep nightly are 4.5 times more likely to develop abnormal blood glucose readings.'
19. Take Home: “Even later in life, combined lifestyle factors are associated with a markedly lower incidence of new-onset diabetes.”
Scholarly Questions to Help Prepare for Exam
1) Diabetes deaths are likely to increase how much in the next 10 years?
2) What are the five healthy ways a senior can reduce the risk of diabetes by 89 percent?
3) If a person get less then _____ hours of sleep regularly they are _____times likely to develop abnormal blood glucose readings?

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