Age-Associated Loss of Power and Strength in the Upper Extremities in Women and Men

Metter, E. J.; Conwit, R.; Tobin, J.; Fozard, J. L.

doi:10.1093/gerona/52a.5.b267

Cited by 592Nutrition and Health in AgingMuscle metabolism and nutritionMuscle Physiology and Disorders

Age-Associated Loss of Power and Strength in the Upper Extremities in Women and Men

Metter, E. J., Conwit, R., Tobin, J., Fozard, J. L.·1997·The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences

DOI 10.1093/gerona/52a.5.b267

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Abstract

Cross-sectional and longitudinal age-associated reductions in power and isometric strength are described for the upper extremities. Over a 25-year period, repeated measures were taken approximately every 2 years from men and women in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA). The longitudinal measures covered an average 9.6 years, range 1-25 years for men and an average 4.6 years, range 1-8 years for women. Strength and power declined beginning by age 40 in both women and men. Thereafter, power declined about 10% more than strength in men, while no significant differences were found in women. Age had a statistically independent influence on strength and power measures after adjusting for gender, height, weight, caloric expenditure, and muscle mass. Twenty-five-year longitudinal analyses in men confirmed the declines observed cross-sectionally, while no changes were observed in women over the 4-5 years of longitudinal data available. Further longitudinal studies are needed to understand the relationships between strength and power losses with age in women. The differences between power and strength changes with age in men argue for the importance of factors other than strength affecting power.

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The annual decline in muscle power is larger than the annual decline in muscle strength in older adults.
“Several studies have revealed that the annual decline in muscle power is larger than the annual decline in muscle strength in older adults [10–16].”
From Effectiveness of power training compared to strength training in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis (2022) · cites this paper as [16]

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Authors: Metter, E. J., Conwit, R., Tobin, J., & Fozard, J. L.
Affiliations: National Institute on Aging (US)
Johns Hopkins University (US)
ORCID: Conwit, R.
Venue: The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published: 1997-09-01
Volume: 52A
Issue: 5
Pages: B267-B276
ISSN: 1079-5006 (ISSN-L)
1758-535X
DOI: 10.1093/gerona/52a.5.b267
OpenAlex: W2167341032
Cited by: 592
References: 2
Citations by year: 2026: 10 · 2025: 28 · 2024: 36 · 2023: 24 · 2022: 30 · 2021: 32 · 2020: 35 · 2019: 38 · 2018: 29 · 2017: 23 · 2016: 23 · 2015: 27 · 2014: 25 · 2013: 23 · 2012: 19
FWCI: 4.08
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: The Journals of Gerontology Series A (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders: National Institute on Aging
Topics: Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Nutrition and Health in Aging
Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Muscle Physiology and Disorders
Keywords: age-related muscle loss, upper body strength, muscle power, isometric strength, sex differences, aging, Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, muscle mass
MeSH terms: Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Arm, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Middle Aged, Regression Analysis

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Age-Associated Loss of Power and Strength in the Upper Extremities in Women and Men

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