... training intensity and volume) (Eskurza et al., 2002;Fitzgerald et al., 1997), which may underpin the accelerated rate of decline in VO 2max observed (Eskurza et al., 2002;Tanaka et al., 1997). However, the studies included in the current review highlighted no observable difference in training frequency (Aagaard et al., 2007;Bhella et al., 2014;Buyukyazi, 2004 2016; Franzoni et al., 2005;Galetta et al., 2005;Galetta et al., 2006;Korhonen et al., 2006;Korhonen et al., 2012;Larsson et al., 1997;Marcell et al., 2003;Marcell et al., 2014;Molmen et al., 2012;Ojanen et al., 2007;Power et al., 2010b;Sallinen et al., 2008;Sanada et al., 2009;Sipila and Suominen, 1991;Sundstrup et al., 2010;Witkowski et al., 2010;Yataco et al., 1997;Zampieri et al., 2015), distance (Arbab-Zadeh et al., 2004;Couppe et al., 2014;Hawkins et al., 2001;Mackey et al., 2014;Marcell et al., 2003;Marcell et al., 2014;Mikkelsen et al., 2013;Power et al., 2010b;Shibata and Levine, 2012;Stenroth et al., 2016;Suominen and Rahkila, 1991;Tarpenning et al., 2004a;Thomas et al., 2013;Witkowski et al., 2010) and session duration (Ari et al., 2004;Bjork et al., 2012;Buford et al., 2010;Buyukyazi, 2004;Carrick-Ranson et al., 2014b;Couppe et al., 2014;Korhonen et al., 2006;Korhonen et al., 2012;Matelot et al., 2016;Mortensen et al., 2012;Mosole et al., 2014;Mucci et al., 1999;Nyberg et al., 2012;Proctor and Joyner, 1997;Rantalainen et al., 2014;Rivier et al., 1994;Sanada et al., 2009;Schmidt et al., 2015;Stenroth et al., 2016;Suominen and Rahkila, 1991;Trappe et al., 2013;Zampieri et al., 2015) between younger and older endurance athletes; although alterations to training intensity cannot be excluded as none were reported. VO 2max values included in this meta-analysis were ∼32% lower in master endurance athletes (42 ± 6.6 ml kg −1 min −1 ) than young endurance trained individuals (62.0 ± 5.4 ml kg −1 min −1 ), which is supported by recent research demonstrating an inescapable reduction in VO 2max in master endurance athletes, despite continuous levels of endurance exercise training (Everman et al., 2018). ...