Figure 12. Association of maximal aerobic capacity (${\stackrel{.}{\mathbf{V}}}_{{\mathbf{O}}_2\mathbf{max}}$) and human aging.

Three linear regression lines and corresponding scatter plots displaying the decline in ${\stackrel{.}{\mathsf{V}}}_{{\mathrm{O}}_2\max }$ across the human lifespan from three longitudinal studies—Asmussen et al [red line and symbols; (11)], Robinson et al [blue line and symbols; (301)], and Dill et al [orange line and symbols; (79, 258)].The solid portion of each regression line represents data as collected, and the dashed portion of each regression line represents a theoretical association extracted from each linear regression to its intercept on the x-axis. Data from Asmussen and colleagues represents 23 men who had their ${\stackrel{.}{\mathsf{V}}}_{{\mathrm{O}}_2\max }$ measured twice, the first between ages 21 and 27 years and the second between ages 41 and 61 years. Data from Robinson and colleagues represents three men who had their ${\stackrel{.}{\mathsf{V}}}_{{\mathrm{O}}_2\max }$ measured three times at ages 18 to 19 years, 40 to 43 years, and 50 to 51 years. Data from Dill and colleagues represents 12 ${\stackrel{.}{\mathsf{V}}}_{{\mathrm{O}}_2\max }$ measurements of D.B. Dill over a 56-year period. Linear regression equations of best fit and associated Pearson correlation coefficients were y = 69.37 - 0.6315x, r = 0.57 (Asmussen et al); y = 67.19 - 0.6458x, r = 0.83 (Robinson et al); and y = 65.28 – 0.519x, r = 0.96 (Dill et al). Adapted from Booth FW 1989 (35).