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Maximal power across the lifespan
J C Martin1, R P Farrar, B M Wagner
1Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, The University of Texas at Austin, USA. jcmartin@sph.sc.edu
Summary
Maximal power is determined by muscle size and fiber type, not age. These factors explain power changes during growth and aging, suggesting muscle properties are stable throughout life.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Human Performance
- Aging Research
Background:
- Maximal power output changes with age, persisting even when scaled to body mass.
- Previous research suggests age-related power differences may be linked to muscle characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between muscle size, fiber type, and maximal power across the lifespan.
- To determine if age per se, or muscle characteristics, are the primary drivers of maximal power changes.
Main Methods:
- Assessed maximal cycling power (Pmax) and optimal pedaling rate (Vopt) in 195 males aged 8-70 years.
- Estimated lean thigh volume (LTVest) using anthropometry and muscle volume (MRIvol) via MRI in a subset.
Main Results:
- Maximal power (Pmax) strongly correlated with the product of lean thigh volume and optimal pedaling rate (LTVest x Vopt).
- Pmax was significantly related to both LTVest x Vopt and age, with LTVest x Vopt being the dominant factor.
- Scaled power remained stable during growth and showed only a minor decrease with aging.
Conclusions:
- Muscle volume and optimal pedaling rate are key determinants of maximal power throughout life.
- Muscle contractile properties appear to develop early and remain largely unchanged into older age.
- Age-related differences in maximal power are primarily explained by variations in muscle size and fiber type.