Kernel performance in relation to Docker images

What type of limitations or expectations is there in kernel performance of a older OS running a container of a newer OS? As an example if I have a machine installed with RHE5 and I run a container that uses a RHE7 image what type of performance delta would I expect between a RHE7 Kernel versus a RHE7 container running on a RHE5 kernel? Has there been any analysis in this regard that would provide some guidelines? I thinking that running a container image with a new OS on a older OS kernel will have negative performance implications but running a container with an older OS on a newer OS kernel will have positive performance implications but has this been verified?