Muscle Performance Changes with Age in Active Women

Ryan M. Miller, Eduardo D. S. Freitas, Aaron D. Heishman, Keldon M. Peak, Samuel R. Buchanan, J. Mikhail Kellawan, Hugo M. Pereira, Debra A. Bemben and Michael G. Bemben
Additional contact information
Ryan M. Miller: Department of Health and Exercise Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
Eduardo D. S. Freitas: Department of Health and Exercise Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
Aaron D. Heishman: Department of Health and Exercise Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
Keldon M. Peak: Department of Health and Exercise Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
Samuel R. Buchanan: Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX 78539, USA
J. Mikhail Kellawan: Department of Health and Exercise Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
Hugo M. Pereira: Department of Health and Exercise Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
Debra A. Bemben: Department of Health and Exercise Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
Michael G. Bemben: Department of Health and Exercise Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 9, 1-12

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine age-related differences in muscle performance in women divided into young (YW, 20–39 years, n = 29) middle-aged (MAW, 40–59 years, n = 33), and older (OW, ?60 years, n = 40) age groups. Methods: Hand grip strength, vertical jump performance, and knee extensor (KE) strength (0 deg/s, 60 deg/s, and 240 deg/s), speed of movement (SoM; at 1 Nm, 20%, 40%, and 60% isometric strength), and endurance (30-repetition test at 60 degs/s and 240 deg/s) were assessed. Computed tomography-acquired muscle cross-sectional area (mCSA) was measured and included to determine specific strength (KE strength/mCSA). Results: Hand grip strength was similar across groups, while jump performance declined with age (YW and MAW > OW, p < 0.001). KE strength declined significantly with age (all conditions p < 0.01), while specific strength was similar across groups. SoM was significantly higher for YW and MAW compared to OW (both p < 0.01). An age × velocity interaction revealed YW KE endurance was similar between conditions, whereas MAW and OW displayed significantly better endurance during the 60 deg/s condition. OW displayed impaired KE endurance at 240 deg/s (vs. YW and MAW, p < 0.01) but improved at 60 deg/s (vs. YW, p < 0.01). Dynamic torque decline increased with age (YW < OW, p = 0.03) and was associated with intramuscular adipose tissue (r = 0.21, p = 0.04). Conclusions: Performance declines were most evident among OW, but few performance deficits had emerged in MAW. Interestingly, strength declines disappeared after normalizing to mCSA and endurance appears to be velocity-dependent.

Keywords: aging; dynamometry; muscle; strength; women’s health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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