Intrinsic aerobic capacity sets a divide for aging and longevity.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Low aerobic exercise capacity is a powerful predictor of premature morbidity and mortality for healthy adults as well as those with cardiovascular disease. For aged populations, poor performance on treadmill or extended walking tests indicates closer proximity to future health declines. Together, these findings suggest a fundamental connection between aerobic capacity and longevity.

Objectives

Through artificial selective breeding, we developed an animal model system to prospectively test the association between aerobic exercise capacity and survivability (aerobic hypothesis).

Methods and results

Laboratory rats of widely diverse genetic backgrounds (N:NIH stock) were selectively bred for low or high intrinsic (inborn) treadmill running capacity. Cohorts of

SUBMITTER: Koch LG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3236084 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature