Age-related changes in maximal power and heart rate recorded during a ramped test in 114 cyclists age 15-73 years.

Balmer, James; Potter, Christopher R; Bird, Stephen R; Davison, Richard

Abstract

This study assessed age-related changes in power and heart rate in 114 competitive male cyclists age 15–73 years. Participants completed a maximal Kingcycle™ ergometer test with maximal ramped minute power (RMPmax, W) recorded as the highest average power during any 60 s and maximal heart rate (HRmax, beats/min) as the highest value during the test. From age 15 to 29 (n = 38) RMPmax increased by 7.2 W/year (r = .53, SE 49 W, p < .05). From age 30 to 73 (n = 78) RMPmax declined by 2.4 W/year (r = –.49, SE 49 W, p < .05). Heart rate decreased across the full age range by 0.66 beats · min–1 · year–1 (r = –.75, SE 9 beats/min, p < .05). Age accounted for only 25% of the variance in RMPmax but 56% in HRmax. RMPmax was shown to peak at age 30, then decline with age, whereas HRmax declined across the full age range.

Citation

Balmer, J., Potter, C. R., Bird, S. R., & Davison, R. (2005). Age-related changes in maximal power and heart rate recorded during a ramped test in 114 cyclists age 15-73 years. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 13, 125-136

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2005
• Deposit Date: Jun 13, 2008
• Print ISSN: 1063-8652
• Electronic ISSN: 1543-267X
• Publisher: Human Kinetics
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 13
• Pages: 125-136
• Keywords: Cyclists; Heart rate; Age-related change; Maximal ramped minute power
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/id/eprint/1632
• Publisher URL: http://www.humankinetics.com/JAPA/viewarticle.cfm?jid=yP7A7LxH4q3RdgckzTa3Kxt6NM44627N8EDACX2ngv3&aid=4516&site=yP7A7LxH4q3RdgckzTa3Kxt6NM44627N8EDACX2ngv3