Leg strength and muscle morphology of older athletes

• Published in: Journal of science and medicine in sport Vol. 6; no. 4; p. 101
• Main Authors: Tarpenning, K, Hamilton-Wessler, M, Wiswell, R, Hawkins, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2003
• ISSN: 1440-2440; 1878-1861
• DOI: 10.1016/S1440-2440(03)80225-6

It has been reported that maximal strength peaks around 30 years of age, plateaus and remains relatively stable for the next 20-30 years, with an age-related decline in strength becoming significant by age 60. Much of the research attributes this decrease in peak force to age-associated reductions in muscle mass, with a selective atrophy and reduction in Type II fibre area and number being the primary factors. The influence that chronic endurance training has upon age-associated changes in muscular strength and muscle morphology has been largely undetermined. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the influence of chronic endurance training and age on knee extensor strength, and muscle fibre size and type distribution. Male (n = 107, age range = 40-88 yr) and female (n = 67, age range = 43-69 yr) Masters runners were tested for maximal strength of the knee extensor muscles. A sub-group of 30 male athletes participated in muscle biopsy testing. The effects of age were addressed by sub-dividing the sample into age-associated cohorts, corresponding to decade of life. For both males and females, peak isokinetic concentric torque did not differ between age groups until after age 70 yrs. For the men, Type I and Type II fibre area and distribution did not differ between age groups through age 80 yrs. These data suggest that chronic endurance training can delay the age of onset of significant decrement in muscle strength and morphology characteristics of the vastus lateralis.