Habitual physical activity and peak anaerobic power in elderly women

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between maximal anaerobic power (P _max) and corresponding optimal velocity (V _opt) and habitual physical activity (PA) on the one hand and with maximal oxygen consumption (V˙O_2max) on the other hand, in elderly women. Twenty-nine community dwelling, healthy women aged 66–82 years participated in the study. PA was evaluated using the Questionnaire d'Activite Physique Saint-Etienne (QAPSE) and expressed using two QAPSE activity indices: mean habitual daily energy expenditure (MHDEE) and daily energy expenditure corresponding to leisure time sports activities (sports activity). The subjects' P _max and V _opt were measured while they cycled on a friction-loaded non-isokinetic cycle ergometer. P _max was expressed relative to body mass [P _max/kg(W?·?kg^?1)], and relative to the mass of two quadriceps muscles [P _{max /Quadr}(W·kg_Quadr ^?1)]. A negative relationship between P _max/kg (Spearman's r?=??0.56; P?P _max/Quadr (r?=??0.53; P?V _opt (r?=??0.45; P?P _max/kg was positively associated with MHDEE (r?=?0.51; P?r?=?0.58; P? P _max/Quadr and V _opt (r?=?0.55; P?r?=?0.54; P?P _max/kg, P _max/Quadr and V _opt correlated positively with V˙O_2max. The positive relationship between ergometer measurements and PA indices was similar to that between V˙O_2max and PA. P _max/kg was, moreover, closely related to V _opt (r?=?0.77; P?P _max/kg variance, whereas sports activity contributed to P _max/Quadr and V _opt variances. In conclusion, the data from this cross-sectional study suggest that in healthy elderly women habitual PA, and especially leisure time PA, alleviates the decline of the P _max of the quadriceps muscles.