TORQUE-VELOCITY RELATIONSHIPS FOR THE KNEE EXTENSORS IN WOMEN IN THEIR 3RD AND 7TH DECADES

Maximal isokinetic knee extensor strength was measured as torque in 17 young (mean age ± SD, 21 ± 3 years) and 16 elderly (68 ± 5 years) women at 30° (0.52 rad) before full extension, at angular velocities from 0 to 5.24 rad s-1, in 7 increments of 0.87 rad s-1. The elderly women were significantly weaker than the young women at all angular velocities. The rate of loss of absolute torque with increasing velocity was similar for both age groups, but when torque was standardised as a percentage of the individual's maximum, the elderly group showed a significantly greater rate of loss than the younger group. Quick-release from an isometric effort did not increase the recorded torques at 4.36 rad s-1 compared with the free-running method in either age group. The age differences are compatible with lower ratio of type II to type I fibre are in the older group. © 1990 Springer-Verlag.