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Comparison of lower extremity strength, power and muscle area between healthy subjects and mobility‐limited elders
Author(s) -
Reid Kieran F.,
Doros Gheorghe,
Cloutier Gregory J.,
Clark David J.,
Carabello Robert J.,
Phillips Edward M.,
Frontera Walter R.,
Fielding Roger A.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.1163.19
Subject(s) - medicine , muscle strength , muscle power , sarcopenia , physical therapy , healthy aging , physical medicine and rehabilitation , gerontology
This study compared muscle strength, power and cross sectional area (CSA) in healthy middle‐aged adults (mean age: 47.3 ± 5 yrs, n = 26), healthy older adults (73.8 ± 4 yrs, n = 21), and older adults with mobility limitations (77.1 ± 5 yrs, n = 21). One repetition maximum strength (1RM) and peak power output (PP) were estimated using the bilateral leg press exercise. Total thigh muscle CSA was assessed using computated tomography. Mobility‐limited elders had significantly reduced muscle strength, PP and CSA compared to both healthy groups (table). There were no significant differences for any of these measures between the healthy‐middle aged or healthy‐older participants. These data suggest that preservation of strength, power and muscle mass in healthy older adults attenuates the age‐related decline in lower extremity functional performance. Additional studies should assess the efficacy of exercise and therapeutic interventions designed to increase muscle quality in older adults with compromised physical functioning. NIA AG‐18844 and the USDA 58‐1950‐7‐707