Lifetime Endurance Physical Activity Is Related to Better Cardiometabolic Profile but May Be Insufficient to Preserve Muscle Strength and Power in Middle Aged and Older Men.
Pigłowska M, Kwaśniewska M, et al. • Clinical interventions in aging • 2026
Higher lifetime endurance physical activity is related to a better cardiometabolic profile in older physically active males but does not affect muscle strength and power, emphasizing that endurance PA alone may not be sufficient to preserve muscle strength and power in aging.
Key Findings
Results
The low physical activity group had inferior aerobic fitness parameters compared to medium and high PA groups.
Study included 59 men aged 66.7±8.8 years engaged in endurance training and followed for over 30 years
Participants were divided into three equal groups (low, medium, high) based on PA levels in the last 10 years
Submaximum exercise test was used to verify physical fitness
The low PA group showed inferior aerobic fitness parameters compared with both the medium and high PA groups
Results
The low PA group had higher waist circumference, insulin level, and HOMA-IR compared with the medium and high PA groups.
Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) was used to assess insulin resistance
Biochemical and anthropometric measurements were taken across all participants
The low PA group also had a higher BMI compared specifically with the medium PA group
These differences suggest a dose-response relationship between endurance PA and cardiometabolic risk markers
Results
None of the muscle strength and power parameters differed significantly between the low, medium, and high PA groups.
Strength of multiple muscle groups was measured with dynamometers (Saehan, Microfet 2) and Keiser pneumatic resistance training equipment
Muscle power was examined with Keiser equipment and a friction-loaded cycle ergometer
No significant differences in any strength or power parameter were found across the three PA groups
This finding held despite the groups differing substantially in cardiometabolic markers and aerobic fitness
Results
Lifetime endurance PA showed many significant negative relationships with cardiometabolic risk factors including body mass, BMI, waist circumference, insulin, HOMA-IR, and triglycerides.
Historical PA data were checked based on PA examinations performed across more than 30 years of follow-up
PA in different life periods was analyzed for relationships with cardiometabolic profile
Negative associations were found between lifetime PA and body mass, BMI, waist circumference, insulin, HOMA-IR, and triglycerides
Positive associations were found between lifetime PA and HDL-cholesterol, Augmentation Index, and aerobic fitness data
Results
No significant relationships were found between lifetime endurance PA in any life period and muscle strength or power measures.
PA data from multiple life periods were examined for correlations with strength and power outcomes
Both cross-sectional group comparisons and longitudinal relationship analyses failed to show associations between endurance PA and muscle function
The absence of relationships was consistent across multiple muscle groups and power measurements
Authors conclude that endurance PA alone may not be sufficient to be prescribed for muscle strength and power preservation in aging
Conclusions
The authors conclude that despite cardiometabolic benefits, endurance PA alone may be insufficient to preserve muscle strength and power in middle-aged and older men.
Study population consisted of men with long-term endurance training history, representing a physically active cohort rather than the general population
The finding challenges the sufficiency of endurance-only exercise prescriptions for comprehensive healthy aging
Authors emphasize that additional exercise modalities, such as resistance training, may be necessary to maintain muscle function
This has clinical implications for exercise prescription in aging populations seeking to preserve both cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health
What This Means
This research followed 59 men (average age about 67 years) who had been engaged in endurance exercise — activities like running, cycling, or swimming — for more than 30 years. The researchers divided participants into three groups based on how much endurance exercise they had done over the past 10 years (low, medium, and high amounts) and compared their heart and metabolic health markers as well as their muscle strength and power. Men who did more endurance exercise had better outcomes for nearly every cardiovascular and metabolic measure, including lower body weight, smaller waist size, lower insulin levels, lower insulin resistance, lower triglycerides, and higher HDL ('good') cholesterol. These benefits were seen across different periods of their lifetime, not just recently.
However, when the researchers measured the actual strength and power of multiple muscle groups using specialized equipment, they found no differences between the low, medium, and high exercise groups. Even men who had maintained high levels of endurance exercise throughout their lives did not have stronger or more powerful muscles than those who had done less. This was consistent whether looking at current activity levels or activity across multiple life periods.
This research suggests that while endurance exercise like running or cycling is excellent for heart health and metabolic health as people age, it may not be enough on its own to prevent the loss of muscle strength and power that commonly occurs with aging. For older adults who want to maintain both cardiovascular health and muscle function, a well-rounded exercise program that also includes resistance or strength training may be necessary. The findings highlight the importance of not relying solely on one type of exercise for overall healthy aging.
Check Your Own Numbers
Upload your bloodwork. We'll cross-reference your results against this study and 4,700 others.
Pigłowska M, Kwaśniewska M, Kostka J, Jegier A, Drygas W, Dzięcioł K, et al.. (2026). Lifetime Endurance Physical Activity Is Related to Better Cardiometabolic Profile but May Be Insufficient to Preserve Muscle Strength and Power in Middle Aged and Older Men.. Clinical interventions in aging. https://doi.org/10.2147/CIA.S584734