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Quadriceps Muscle Function in Relation to Habitual Physical Activity and VO₂max in Men and Women Aged More Than 65 Years

^a Service de Médecine Gériatrique, Centre Hospitalier Lyon-Sud, Lyon, France
^b Laboratoire de Physiologie–GIP Exercice, Faculté de Médecine de Lyon-Sud, Lyon, France
^c Department of Preventive Medicine, Medical University, Lodz, Poland
^d Département de Rééducation et Réadaptation Fonctionnelles–GIP Exercice, Faculté de Médecine, Université Jean Monnet, Saint-Etienne, France

Tomasz Kostka, Department of Preventive Medicine, Medical University, Zachodnia 81/83, 90-402 Lodz, Poland E-mail: am{at}laser.net.pl.

Decision Editor: Jay Roberts, PhD

The relationship of quadriceps maximal muscle power (P_max), corresponding optimal shortening velocity (_opt), and relative fatigability (Pmax%D) to maximal oxygen uptake (O₂max) and habitual physical activity (PA) was examined in healthy community-dwelling subjects (29 women and 25 men) aged more than 65 years old. PA was evaluated by a questionnaire and expressed using two activity indices: mean habitual daily energy expenditure (MHDEE) and the daily energy expenditure corresponding to leisure time sports activities (Sports Activity). In women, P_max correlated positively with O₂max (r = .56) and with Sports Activity (rho = .41). Both Sports Activity and P_max were significant independent predictors of O₂max and accounted for 62% of variance in O₂max. In men, _opt was significantly negatively related to MHDEE (r = –.59) and to Sports Activity (rho = –.40). Neither in women nor in men was Pmax%D correlated with O₂max or PA indices. The different relationship of P_max and _opt with O₂max and PA indices suggests that habitual PA may be sufficient in active older women, but not in men, to positively influence quadriceps muscle function. These gender differences may suggest different approaches in exercise programming for elderly women and men.

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