Muscular power as a function of load in elderly women

Abstract

Ageing has been associated with a decrease in the ability to perform daily tasks (Reid and Fielding 2012). This decrease in functional performance is due to a lower capacity of developing muscle force and power, which results in impaired performance, particularly in activities where intense and rapid movements are essential (e.g. counter-acting a fall). It has been shown that increasing muscle power in older adults results in a functional improvement and reduces the incidence of disability (Pereira et al. 2012). To improve muscular power, trainings that maximise power output are indicated (Kawamori and Haff 2004). Muscular power can be assessed using iso-kinetic or iso-inertial dynamometry. Even if iso-kinetic testing remains one of the more popular methods for power assessment, it may not be appropriate to assess the ability to perform daily tasks (Jane 1995). Indeed, the fixed velocity of movement utilised during iso-kinetic testing is not characteristic of most daily activities. Instead, iso-inertial testing approximates more closely functional movements, which are characterised by accelerations of a constant mass. In this study, we have measured the average power during upper and lower body exercises using an iso-inertial method in older women. The aim was (1) to evaluate the strength and power in ageing women and (2) to determine the load (or range of loads) that maximises the mechanical power output.