A LONGITUDINAL-STUDY OF CHANGES IN BODY-COMPOSITION AND BASAL-METABOLISM IN PHYSICALLY ACTIVE ELDERLY MEN

Ageing in the elderly is usually characterised by loss of fat-free mas s (FFM) and reduction in basal metabolic rate (BMR). These age-related changes probably vary in rate, timing and extent between subjects in response to differences in leisure or occupational physical activity, disease and several other factors. Information on rates of change in B MR and FFM is limited by study design (most published work is cross-se ctional rather than longitudinal), and possibly by methodology (use of imprecise and/or biased methods for assessment of changes in body com position). In the present study BMR and body composition were first me asured in 22 physically active elderly men (mean age 62) in good healt h and measurements were repeated 6.5 years later. Changes in BMR, FFM and percentage body fat were small and not statistically significant o ver the time period (paired t, P > 0.05). The study suggests that phys ically active elderly men in good health in this age range can show ve ry small age-related declines in BMR and FFM.