Aerobic Capacity Declines Dramatically in Older Years

Aerobics Capacity

Fitness levels decline dramatically as we grow older, but exercise is the key to remaining independent in the golden years, according to a report in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

"Aerobic capacity declines dramatically with age, making it even more important for people to stay physically active if they want to remain independent," said lead author Jerome L. Fleg, M.D., a cardiologist and medical officer in the division of epidemiology and clinical applications at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in Bethesda, Md.

Researchers investigated changes in aerobic capacity in healthy people across a broad age group.