Cited by 216Cardiovascular and exercise physiologyPhysical Activity and HealthSports Performance and Training

Aerobic Capacity Reference Data in 3816 Healthy Men and Women 20–90 Years

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Loe, Henrik, Rognmo, Øivind, Saltin, Bengt, Wisløff, Ulrik·2013·PLoS ONE

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a large reference material on aerobic fitness and exercise physiology data in a healthy population of Norwegian men and women aged 20-90 years. METHODS: Maximal and sub maximal levels of VO2, heart rate, oxygen pulse, and rating of perceived exertion (Borg scale: 6-20) were measured in 1929 men and 1881 women during treadmill running. RESULTS: The highest VO2max and maximal heart rate among men and women were observed in the youngest age group (20-29 years) and was 54.4±8.4 mL·kg(-1)·min(-1) and 43.0±7.7 mL·kg(-1)·min(-1) (sex differences, p<0.001) and 196±10 beats·min(-1) and 194±9 beats·min(-1) (sex differences, p<0.05), respectively, with a subsequent reduction of approximately 3.5 mL·kg(-1)·min(-1) and 6 beats·min(-1) per decade. The highest oxygen pulses were observed in the 3 youngest age groups (20-29 years, 30-39 years, 40-49 years) among men and women; 22.3 mL·beat(-1)±3.6 and 14.7 mL·beat(-1)±2.7 (sex differences, p<0.001), respectively, with no significant difference between these age groups. After the age of 50 we observed an 8% reduction per decade among both sexes. Borg scores appear to give a good estimate of the relative exercise intensity, although observing a slightly different relationship than reported in previous reference material from small populations. CONCLUSION: This is the largest European reference material of objectively measured parameters of aerobic fitness and exercise-physiology in healthy men and women aged 20-90 years, forming the basis for an easily accessible, valid and understandable tool for improved training prescription in healthy men and women.

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Authors
Loe, H., Rognmo, Ø., Saltin, B., & Wisløff, U.
Affiliations
  • Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NO)
  • Copenhagen University Hospital (DK)
Corresponding author
Wisløff, Ulrik
Venue
PLoS ONE
Published
2013-05-15
Volume
8
Issue
5
Pages
e64319
ISSN
1932-6203 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2024550820
Cited by
216
References
51
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 20 · 2022: 24 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 22 · 2019: 22 · 2018: 20 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 2
FWCI
31.51
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • PLoS ONE (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • NORA - Norwegian Open Research Archives (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • Foundation for Cardiovascular Research
  • Norges Teknisk-Naturvitenskapelige Universitet
  • Helse Midt-Norge
  • Norges Forskningsråd
  • Norwegian Institute of Public Health
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
Keywords
cardiorespiratory fitness, VO2max, sex differences, heart rate, oxygen pulse, rating of perceived exertion, Borg scale, treadmill running, exercise physiology, healthy adults, training prescription, reference values
MeSH terms
Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Female, Heart Rate, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Motor Activity, Oxygen Consumption, Exercise, Young Adult

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