Association between age and muscle function, architecture, and composition in long-distance master runners: a cross-sectional study

The aim of this study was to describe the muscle function, architecture, and composition of long-distance master runners, and verify the association between age and these variables. Additionally, different clusters of runners were compared based on age and training variables. Forty male runners (≥50 years) reported their training routine and had their muscle function evaluated through maximum knee extensor isometric peak torque (PT) assessed with an isokinetic dynamometer. The cross-sectional area (CSA), pennation angle (PA), fascicle length (FL), muscle thickness (MT), and echo intensity (EI) were evaluated through ultrasound (muscle architecture and composition). The participants were 58.7±6.2 years old and had been training for 18.4±10.3 years, 4 sessions/week with 298.8±164.7 min/week of training. The absolute torque was 226.92±63.44 N·m, and the specific torque (PT/CSA) was 7.29±3.78 N·m/cm2. Regarding muscle architecture, the phase angle was 17.34±4°, the fascicle angle 6.78±1.04 cm, muscle thickness 2.93±0.56 cm, and the cross-sectional area 21.24±5.88 cm2. Concerning muscle composition, the master runners showed echo intensity values of 62.05±11.68 AU. The analysis demonstrated a weak and negative association between age and some muscle architecture variables (CSA and MT) and muscle function (PT). No association was verified between age and muscle composition (EI). Age partially explained CSA, MT, and muscle function changes (13, 11, and 14%, respectively). Participants' high level of physical training might have contributed to the low association between these variables and the lack of association with muscle composition.

La participación de los atletas veteranos en deportes competitivos: ¿El ideal de envejecimiento activo? / The participation of Master athletes in competitive sports: An ideal of active aging? / A participação de atletas veteranos em esportes competitivos: O ideal do envelhecimento ativo?

En los últimos años se ha asistido a un aumento de la participación en disciplinas deportivas competitivas durante la vejez. El objetivo de este artículo es reflexionar si los atletas veteranos mayores pueden considerarse un ideal de envejecimiento activo. Para ello, se exploran tanto los factores determinantes como el impacto de la práctica de deportes competitivos entre atletas mayores. Finalmente se ofrece una visión crítica que resalta la problematicidad de la entronización de este colectivo como ejemplo de "buen envejecer".

In the last few years, participation in competitive sports in later life has considerably increased. The purpose of this article is to reflect if older Master athletes can be considered an ideal model of active aging. In order to this, the determinants and impacts of the competitive sports participation for older athletes are explored. Finally, this article offers a critical view that highlights the problem of considering this group as an ideal example of "well aging".

Nos últimos anos, houve um aumento da participação em disciplinas esportivas competitivas durante a velhice. O objetivo deste artigo é refletir se atletas veteranos mais velhos podem ser considerados um ideal de envelhecimento ativo. Para isso, são explorados os fatores determinantes e o impacto de praticar esportes competitivos entre os atletas maisvelhos. Por fim, é oferecida uma visão crítica que destaca a natureza problemática da entronização desse grupo como um exemplo de "bom envelhecimento".

Silent Myocardial Ischemia in Master Marathon Runners.

Background: Silent myocardial ischemia is defined as objective documentation of myocardial ischemia in the absence of angina or anginal equivalents. There are a number of reports of exercise-related sudden deaths and myocardial infarctions in aerobically trained athletes suffering from exercise - induced silent myocardial ischemia. The most appropriate and used method to discover silent myocardial ischemia is the exercise stress testing. Case Reports: In this article the authors describe three emblematic cases of silent myocardial ischemia detected in master marathon runners during systematic prepartecipation screening. These marathon runners were asymptomatic but suffering from a severe coronary artery disease that only thanks to exercise treadmill stress test was detected and properly treated. Conclusions: Silent myocardial ischemia is not such a rare event in athletes, indeed quite the opposite. In fact, even though athletes are asymptomatic this does not exclude the possibility that they are suffering from severe coronary artery disease.