Reply to Lepers et al.

TO THE EDITOR: Drs. Lepers and colleagues (1) have written an interesting commentary in response to our recently published paper (2) on aerobic power in octogenarian athletes and healthy untrained age-matched men. Our primary intent was to evaluate aerobic potential at the whole body and myocellular level to gain more insight into the health benefits of lifelong endurance exercise in individuals 80 yr of age. We did not study runners and thus do not have running specific measures. The variables outlined by Dr. Lepers et al. are intriguing, and we welcome more data in this area of study. The aging athlete represents a unique model to learn more about the long-term benefits of exercise as preventative medicine.