Age differences in knee extension power, contractile velocity, and fatigability
Abstract
The purposes of this study were to examine age and gender differences in knee extensor strength, power, and fatigue using open- and closed-chain testing procedures. We tested the hypothesis that specific strength (strength/unit muscle mass) would not differ by age, whereas age differences in specific power and fatigue would remain consequent to blunted maximal contractile velocity. Skeletal muscle performance was examined in 28 young (26.9 ± 0.7 yr) and 24 older (63.6 ± 0.8 yr) men and women. Assessments included one-repetition maximum strength for knee extension, leg press, and squat; concentric knee extensor peak power, velocity, and fatigability; and sit-to-stand power, fatigability, and relative neural activation (electromyograph activity during sit-to-stand movement normalized to electromyograph activity during isometric maximum voluntary contraction). Thigh lean mass (TLM; kg) was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Specific strength (N/kg TLM) and specific power (W/kg TLM) were estimated by dividing absolute values by TLM. Age differences in specific strength were observed for knee extension only (young, 41.2 ± 1.0 N/kg TLM; older, 32.4 ± 1.0 N/kg TLM; P < 0.05). Adjustment for TLM did not negate age differences in knee extension specific power (25–41% lower in older; P < 0.05) across loads tested. Older adults experienced fatigue across 10 repetitions of knee extension as peak velocity fell by 24% ( P < 0.05). Deficits in concentric power persist after adjustment for TLM as maximum contractile velocity falls markedly with aging. Older adults are less capable of sustaining maximum concentric velocity during repetitive contractions. These findings suggest that velocity impairments are a possible contributor to mobility loss and falls risk among older adults. Interventions for improving contractile velocity should be pursued.
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Muscle power declines faster than strength over time.
“Consequently, muscle power (the product of force and velocity) is a critical component of functional performance in older individuals 23,24 that declines faster than strength over time, 25,26 with reductions of up to 6% per year in people aged . 70 years. 27”
From High-velocity power training has similar effects to traditional resistance training for functional performance in older adults: a systematic review (2023) · cites this paper as [25]
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- Authors
- Petrella, J. K., Kim, J.-S., Tuggle, S. C., Hall, S. R., & Bamman, M. M.
- Affiliations
- University of Alabama at Birmingham (US)
- Venue
- Journal of Applied Physiology
- Publisher
- American Physiological Society
- Published
- 2005-01
- Volume
- 98
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 211-220
- ISSN
- 0161-7567 (ISSN-L)
- 8750-7587
- 1522-1601
- OpenAlex
- W2122375091
- Cited by
- 270
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 25 · 2012: 19
- FWCI
- 8.14
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Applied Physiology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute on Aging (R01AG017896, R01 AG17896)
- National Center for Research Resources (M01RR00032, M01RR000032)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Muscle activation and electromyography studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
- Keywords
- aging, quadriceps strength, muscle power, muscle fatigue, specific strength, sit-to-stand, neuronal activation, electromyography, fall risk, mobility loss, older adults, sex differences
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Age Factors, Aged, Aging, Female, Humans, Knee, Male, Middle Aged, Movement, Muscle Contraction, Physical Endurance, Sex Factors, Muscle Fatigue
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