Pertaining to VO2 decline, actually current research indicates that those athletes who maintain their fitness level have a very minor decline in V02 uptake. The studies that indicate that V02 capacity decreases with age do not take into account that in the study population the decline correleates with reduction in athletic performance. In other words, often said, and inherant truth: use it or lose it. There is actually good data that indicates that even if you start at age 50, if you eat right and excercise vigorously that you can improve your health and performance to be as good at age 80 as most who are at age 50.