A physiological comparison of the new-over 70 years of age-marathon record holder and his predecessor: A case report

Abstract

Purpose: This study assessed the body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, fiber type and mitochondrial function, and training characteristics of a 71-year-old runner who broke the world record marathon of the men's 70-74 age category and held several other world records. The values were compared to those of the previous world-record holder. Methods: Body fat percentage was assessed using air-displacement plethysmography. $\dot{V}{O}_2\max$ , running economy, and maximum heart rate were measured during treadmill running. Muscle fiber typology and mitochondrial function were evaluated using a muscle biopsy. Results: Body fat percentage was 13.5%, $\dot{V}{O}_2\max$ was 46.6 ml kg^-1 min^-1, and maximum heartrate was 160 beats∙min^-1. At the marathon pace (14.5 km h^-1), his running economy was 170.5 ml kg^-1 km^-1. The gas exchange threshold and respiratory compensation point occurred at 75.7% and 93.9% of the $\dot{V}{O}_2\max$ , i.e., 13 km h^-1 and 15 km h^-1, respectively. The oxygen uptake at the marathon pace corresponded to 88.5% of $\dot{V}{O}_2\max$ . Vastus lateralis fiber content was 90.3% type I and 9.7% type II. Average distance was 139 km∙w^-1 in the year prior to the record. Conclusion: The 71-year-old world-record holder marathon showed a relatively similar $\dot{V}{O}_2\max$ , lower percentage of $\dot{V}{O}_2\max$ at marathon pace, but a substantially better running economy than his predecessor. The better running economy may result from an almost double weekly training volume compared to the predecessor and a high type I fiber content. He trained every day in the last ∼1.5 years and achieved international performance in his age group category with a small (<5% per decade) age-related decline in marathon performance.

Keywords: aging; case report; master athlete; oxygen consumption; running; running economy; training characteristics.