Does Regular Physical Activity Mitigate the Age-Associated Decline in Pulmonary Function?

Whereas the negative effects of aging and smoking on pulmonary function are undisputed, the potential favorable effects of physical activity on the aging process of the otherwise healthy lung remain controversial. This question is of particular clinical relevance when reduced pulmonary function compromises aerobic exercise capacity (maximal oxygen consumption) and thus contributes to an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Here, we discuss whether and when the aging-related decline in pulmonary function limits maximal oxygen consumption and whether, how, and to what extent regular physical activity can slow down this aging process and preserve pulmonary function and maximal oxygen consumption. Age-dependent effects of reduced pulmonary function (i.e., FEV(1), the volume that has been exhaled after the first second of forced expiration) on maximal oxygen consumption have been observed in several cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. Complex interactions between aging-related cellular and molecular processes affecting the lung, and structural and functional deterioration of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems account for the concomitant decline in pulmonary function and maximal oxygen consumption. Consequently, if long-term regular physical activity mitigates some of the aging-related decline in pulmonary function (i.e., FEV(1) decline), this could also prevent a steep fall in maximal oxygen consumption. In contrast to earlier research findings, recent large-scale longitudinal studies provide growing evidence for the beneficial effects of physical activity on FEV(1). Although further confirmation of those effects is required, these findings provide powerful arguments to start and/or maintain regular physical activity.