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RESEARCH PRODUCT

The influence of ageing on the force-velocity-power characteristics of human elbow flexor muscles.

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Abstract The purpose of this study was to quantify the effects of ageing on the maximal power ( P max ) of the elbow flexor muscles and to determine the impact of velocity on the loss of power in older people. Sixteen elderly subjects (7 men and 9 women, age range 61–78 years) and 17 young subjects (11 men and 6 women, age range 18–27 years) participated in this study. Maximal elbow flexions were performed against increasing inertia. The maximal force ( F max ), maximal shortening velocity ( V max ), P max , dynamic constants ( a , b and a / F max ), optimal force ( F opt ), optimal velocity ( V opt ) and V opt / V max were determined from Hill's equation. Myoelectrical activity (EMG) of the biceps and triceps muscles was quantified as an root mean square (RMS) value. F max , V max , P max , F opt , and V opt were significantly lower in elderly than in young subjects (28, 31, 45, 24 and 28% lower, respectively; p a / F max and V opt / V max were not different between the two age groups. In women, the greater decrease in P max appears to be more dependent on V opt than F opt . In addition, V max decreased with age in women but not in men. The absence of significant differences between age groups in normalised RMS values indicates that P max and V max loss with increasing age could result more from changes in the properties of contractile element than from changes in muscular activity.