Age and gender differences in hip extension and flexion torque steadiness

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Gerontology
• Human Movement Science

Background:

• Lower extremity torque steadiness predicts functional performance in older women.
• Hip muscle function is vital for daily activities.
• Previous research on torque steadiness focused on knee and ankle, not hip.

Purpose of the Study:

• Compare age and gender differences in hip extension (HE) and flexion (HF) strength.
• Investigate age and gender differences in hip torque steadiness.
• Examine age and gender differences in hip torque accuracy (TA).

Main Methods:

• Assessed isometric strength (maximal voluntary contractions) for dominant leg HE and HF.
• Measured relative (5, 25, 50% MVC) and absolute (25 Nm) torque steadiness.
• Determined torque accuracy (TA) as mean deviation from target torque levels in young and older adults.

Main Results:

• Hip extension (HE) showed greater torque fluctuations than hip flexion (HF).
• Older adults and women had reduced HE torque steadiness at 5% MVC.
• Older adults demonstrated lower torque accuracy (TA) for both HE and HF at absolute targets.

Conclusions:

• Older adults and women are less steady in HE at low target torques (5% MVC).
• Hip flexion torque steadiness is consistent across ages, genders, and torque levels.
• Torque accuracy is impaired in older adults at absolute targets for both HE and HF.