Related Experiment Videos
Muscle function in 164 men and women aged 20--84 yr
1Department of Life Sciences (Sports Sciences), Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Komaba 3-8-1, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan. akima@idaten.c.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|February 27, 2001
Summary
Muscle strength declines with age in both men and women, primarily due to reduced muscle mass. In men, neural factors also contribute to age-related muscle function decline.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Muscle Physiology
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Aging is associated with a decline in muscle mass and strength.
- Understanding age-related changes in muscle function is crucial for maintaining health and independence in older adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of aging on muscle functional properties, specifically muscle force and force per unit of cross-sectional area (force/CSA).
- To compare these effects between men and women across different age groups.
Main Methods:
- 164 volunteers were stratified into five age groups (20s to 70s).
- Isokinetic knee extensor and flexor peak torque were measured at various speeds (0-300 degrees/s).
- Cross-sectional area (CSA) of the quadriceps femoris (QF) muscle was determined.
Main Results:
- Peak torque decreased with age in both genders, irrespective of contraction speed.
- QF muscle CSA significantly correlated with isometric knee extension torque in both men and women.
- Force/CSA significantly decreased with age in men, but not in women during isometric contraction.
Conclusions:
- Muscle strength loss with aging is mainly attributed to decreased muscle mass in both sexes.
- In men, age-related decline in muscle function may also involve neural factors, such as reduced muscle recruitment or specific tension.