THE EFFECTS OF AGE ON MUSCLE STRENGTH AND ANTHROPOMETRIC INDICES WITHIN A GROUP OF ELDERLY MEN AND WOMEN

Abstract

Within a group of 184 subjects (100 females) aged 65–90 years living independently, age was found to have a significant negative correlation with strength of triceps surae in the calf and biceps brachii in the arm. Muscle area in the limbs also declined significantly with age in males. Weight and strength per cross-sectional area in the calves declined significantly with age in females. Superficial fat did not change with age; height declined, perhaps due to kyphosis. The strength of the calf compared to body weight also declined significantly with age in both sexes. Multiple regression analysis has been used to describe the effects of sex, age and weight on muscle variables.