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Influence of gender on muscle strength, power and body composition in healthy subjects and mobility‐limited older adults
Author(s) -
Reid Kieran F,
Doros Gheorghe,
Cloutier Gregory,
Clark David,
Carabello Robert,
Phillips Edward,
Fielding Roger
Publication year - 2009
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.23.1_supplement.954.9
Subject(s) - medicine , muscle strength , adipose tissue , muscle power , sarcopenia , composition (language) , thigh , skeletal muscle , physiology , endocrinology , physical therapy , anatomy , philosophy , linguistics
Objective To explore the gender differences in lower‐limb strength, power and body composition in a cross‐sectional study on 31 healthy middle‐aged adults (47.2 ± 5 yrs, 14 males), 28 healthy older adults (74 ± 4 yrs, 16 males), and 34 older adults with mobility impairments (77.8 ± 5 yrs, 16 males). Methods One repetition maximum (1RM) strength and peak power were estimated using the bilateral leg press. Computed tomography was used to assess mid‐thigh body composition. Results Males demonstrated higher values for muscle strength, power, muscle cross sectional area, and intermuscular adipose tissue across all groups (p < 0.05) (table). Female gender was associated with greater deposits of subfascial and subcutaneous adipose tissue across all groups (p < 0.0001). Conclusion Gender exerted a consistent influence on the differences in lower‐limb muscle performance and body composition among healthy middle‐aged, healthy older, and mobility‐limited elders. Hormonal factors may explain the divergent gender‐specific differences in muscle size and adipose tissue accumulation. *Significant overall gender effect (p < 0.05) NIA AG‐18844 and the USDA 58‐1950‐7‐707