Abstract
Objective: To determine the influence of ageing on lean muscle area and isometric and concentric and eccentric muscle strength in the upper and lower extremity in a cross-sectional study design.
Subjects and methods: Lean muscle area and maximal muscle strength(isometric and isokinetic, 60° and 120°/s) of both upper and lower extremity were assessed of 45 men and 56 women (20 to 89 years).
Results: One-way variance analysis and regression analyses revealed a parallel decline with age in both sexes for maximal muscle strength. The decline in maximal muscle strength from age 60 was 34 to 45% in men and 11 to 32% in women in the arms and 40 to 47% in men and 37 to 45% in women in the legs. Isometric, concentric and eccentric contractions showed a similar decline in ageing in both sexes. There was a better maintenance with age of the strength in the arms than in the legs (p < 0.01) and at 120°/s than at 60°/s(p < 0.05).
Conclusions: The present findings suggest a parallel decline in lean muscle area and strength and similar losses in isometric, concentric and eccentric strength with increasing age.