A cross-sectional study on body composition and energy expenditure
in women athletes during aging.
Ryan, Alice S., Barbara J. Nicklas, and Dariush Elahi.
Division of Gerontology, Department of Medicine, University of
Maryland at Baltimore, Baltimore, MD and Geriatrics Service/GRECC
Baltimore VA Medical Center
APStracts 3:0139E, 1996.
The relationships between total and regional body composition, intra
-abdominal adipose tissue (IAAT), resting metabolic rate (RMR) and
substrate oxidation were examined in 43 highly trained women athletes
and 14 sedentary women aged 18 to 69 yr. Athletes were divided into
four groups (18-29, 30-39, 40-49, and 50-69 yr) and controls into two
(18-29 and 40-50 yr). VO2max declined with age (r=-0.52,
P<0.0005) in the athletes and was higher in all groups of
athletes than controls (P<0.0001). No differences in percent fat
and fat-free mass (FFM) were found between the youngest and oldest
athletes. Although BMI was <25 kg/m2 in all subjects, percent
body fat, and total fat mass were higher in controls than athletes
for both young and older women (all P<0.05). FFM was higher in
young athletes than young controls (P<0.0001). Despite similar
percent fat among athletes, IAAT increased with age (r=0.75,
P<0.0001) but subcutaneous abdominal fat and sagittal diameter
did not. IAAT and subcutaneous abdominal fat were also higher in
young controls than young athletes and in older controls than older
athletes (all P<0.005). Age and FFM were independent predictors
of the decline in RMR in the athletes. Fat oxidation (g/d) was
highest in the youngest athletes and declined with age (r=-0.47,
P<0.005). We conclude that the intense chronic exercise in women
athletes prevented the decline in FFM with age. Endurance trained
women have low IAAT stores which may potentially reduce subsequent
risk associated with the metabolic syndrome.
Received 16 April 1996; accepted in final form 11 July 1996.
APS Manuscript Number E189-6.
Article publication pending Am. J. Physiol. (Endocrinol. Metab.).
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1996 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 25 July 1996