Body-mass dependence of age-related deterioration in human muscular
function
Meltzer, David E.
Department of Chemistry and Physics, Southeastern Louisiana University,
Hammond, LA 70402
APStracts 2:0538A, 1995.
Maximal anaerobic power of human muscles declines with increasing
chronological age, and is correlated with body mass. This study investigated
whether the rate of deterioration in human muscular function among trained
weightlifters is also correlated with body mass. Cross-sectional analysis of
performance data of over 1100 Masters competitors in Olympic-style
weightlifting was carried out; eight body-weight classes and six age groups
were represented. Two-Lift Total data (sum of snatch, and clean and jerk
lifts) were analyzed. Mean deterioration rates in performance of athletes of
widely diverse body masses were compared over the following age ranges (in
yr): 42-57, 42-62, and 42-67. No statistically significant correlation
(P<0.05) was found between rate of performance decline, and body mass. The
relationship between body mass and the magnitude of age-related variation of
deterioration rate was also studied; no significant correlation was found.
Previous studies have demonstrated that performance in Olympic-style
weightlifting is correlated with maximal anaerobic muscular power. This leads
us to suggest that the age-related deterioration rate of anaerobic power in
trained subjects may not be correlated with the body mass of the individual.
Received 24 August 1994; accepted in final form 170 November 1995
APS Manuscript Number A803-5.
Article publication pending Journal of Applied Physiology.
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1995 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 8 December 95