Maximum Isometric Force Production Characteristics in Five Muscle Groups in Physically Active Young, Middle-Aged, and Older Men

The purpose of this study was to ascertain what similarities and differences in muscle function were evident among young (19-32 yrs), middle-aged (39-54 yrs) and older men (57-73 yrs), and whether the differences in function were independent of physique. Physique was assessed from measures of body size, anatomical proportions, and body composition. Significant mean differences were found among age groups in height ((DELTA) = 2.6-3.6 cm), weight ((DELTA) = 3.8-5.8 kg), limb and trunk circumferences ((DELTA) = 0.7-10.3 cm), skeletal dimensions ((DELTA) = 0.02-1.7 cm), skinfold thicknesses ((DELTA) = 0.7-3.1 mm) and body potassium content ((DELTA) = 4.4-16.8 gm). Muscle function was assessed in terms of the static force production capacity of the finger flexors, thumb abductors, forearm extensors, plantar flexors and dorsiflexors, reflected by variables representing parameters of force, time, rate of force production, and cumulative force over time (impulse). Significant mean differences in at least 4 of 5 muscle groups were found among age groups for different aspects of force production including maximum force ((DELTA) = 11.6-22.2%), maximum rate ((DELTA) = 19.6-36.7%), cumulative force for 100 ms ((DELTA) = 10.7-28.6%), and total cumulative force ((DELTA) = 22.7-31.6%), with young and middle-aged men having greater force production capabilities than older men. The differences in force production among age groups remained significant after removing, statistically, differences in physique. It was concluded that differences in force production among age groups cannot be explained solely on the basis of physique.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Physical Education

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2014

Author dc:creator

• Going, Scott Brian

• Education, Physical

Identifier

(UMI)AAI8610929

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/71882