Abstract
The present study aimed at analysing the age-related decline in maximal muscle power (W˙) in 52 sedentary healthy women aged between 50 and 75 years to determine whether force or velocity is the major determinant. Maximal muscle power was estimated from two types of vertical jumps, squatting (SJ) and counter‐movement (CmJ), performed on a force platform. It was obtained by measuring the vertical force (F opt) applied to the body centre of gravity and calculating the corresponding vertical velocity ( opt). An age-related decline in absolute W˙ was statistically significant in all the conditions examined and in both peak W˙ and average power () values. The decrease in opt was also statistically significant. Also Fopt declined but this reduction was not statistically significant with the exception of the average value in CmJ. Not surprisingly the highest W˙ were obtained in CmJ, and the difference in power production between the two types of jump showed an age-related decrement only in . The main finding of the study was the demonstration that opt was the critical determinant of the age-related decline in W˙ in healthy elderly women.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Accepted: 8 December 1997
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
De Vito, G., Bernardi, M., Forte, R. et al. Determinants of maximal instantaneous muscle power in women aged 50–75 years. Eur J Appl Physiol 78, 59–64 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004210050387
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004210050387