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Age-Related Changes in Maximal Hip Strength and Movement Speed

¹ Department of Biomedical Engineering
² Department of Mechanical Engineering
³ Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
⁴ Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
⁵ The Institute of Gerontology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Address correspondence to Jesse C. Dean, University of Michigan, Biomechanics Research Lab, 2350 Hayward Street, 3216 GG Brown, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2125. E-mail: jcdean{at}umich.edu

Background. We quantified age-related decreases in the ability of female participants to generate whole leg movements about the hip.

Methods. We measured maximum hip strength and hip velocity in 12 young and 12 older healthy women. Both capabilities could help fall prevention by contributing to fast leg movements. We also measured maximum velocities as a function of isotonic load.

Results. Young participants produced 107.6 ± 25.4 N-m (mean ± SD) isometric torque in flexion and 109.3 ± 22.3 N-m in extension. Older participants produced 22% and 31% lower torques, respectively (p <.001). Young participants generated maximum velocities of 362.8 ± 51.5 °/s in flexion and 371.5 ± 54.2 °/s in extension. Older participants produced 16% lower velocities in both directions (p <.001). Older participants also produced lower velocities as a function of load (p <.001), and lower maximum power (p <.001).

Conclusion. Both maximum strength and velocity contribute to reduced ability to move the leg quickly with age.