Strength and muscle mass loss with aging process. Age and strength loss

Abstract

Background: aging process is associated with changes in muscle mass and strength with decline of muscle strength after the 30(th) life year. The aim of this study was to investigate these changes in muscle mass and strength.

Patients & methods: for this analysis 26 participants were subdivided in two groups. Group 1 comprises participants aged <40 years (n=14), group 2 those >40 years (n=12). We assessed anthropometrics, range of motions, leg circumferences and isometric strength values of the knee joints.

Results: besides comparable anthropometrics, circumferences and strength were higher in group 1 than in group 2. Circumference of upper leg (20 cm above knee articular space) showed for right leg a trend to a significant (median: 54.45 cm (1(st) quartile: 49.35/3(rd) quartile: 57.78) vs 49.80 cm (49.50/50.75), p=0.0526) and for left leg a significant 54.30 cm (49.28/58.13) vs 49.50 cm (48.00/52.53), p=0.0356) larger circumference in group 1. Isometric strength was in 60° knee flexion significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 for right (729.88N (561.47/862.13) vs 456.92N (304.67/560.12), p=0.00448) and left leg (702.49N (581.36/983.87) vs 528.49N (332.95/648.58), p=0.0234).

Conclusions: aging process leads to distinct muscle mass and strength loss. Muscle strength declines from people aged <40 years to those >40 years between 16.6% and 40.9%.

Keywords: age; aging; isometric; muscle; sarcopenia; strength.

Figures

Figure 1.

Maximum isometric strength of the right leg in 60° flexion of both groups.

Figure 2.

Maximum isometric strength of the left leg in 60° flexion of both groups.