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Title: MUSCLE POWER QUALITY I: DO WOMEN HAVE A FASTER MOVEMENT VELOCITY THAN MEN?

Author
item DOLDO, NEIL - UNIVERSITY OF MD
item DELMONICO, MATTHEW - UNIV OF MD
item BAILEY, JASON - UNIV OF MD
item HAND, BRIAN - UNIV OF MD
item KOSTEK, MATTHEW - UNIV OF MD
item RABON-STITH, KARMA - UNIV OF MD
item KALAPURAKKAL, S - UNIV OF MD
item CONWAY, JOAN
item CARRIGAN, CRAIG - UNIV OF MD
item HURLEY, BEN - UNIV OF MD

Submitted to: Journal of Aging and Physical Activity
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/10/2006
Publication Date: 7/7/2005
Citation: Delmonico, M.J., Kostek, M.C., Doldo, N, Hand, B., Rabon-Smith, K.M., Conway, J.M., Carrigan, C.R., Hurley, B.F. 2005. Effects of Moderate Velocity Strength Training on Peak Muscle Power and Movement Velocity: Do Women Respond Differently than Men? J App Physiol Jul 7;[Epub on-line]

Interpretive Summary: Earlier studies have shown that muscle size and power vary in ethnic groups. Therefore to determine sex and race differences in muscle power (MPQ), power of the extensor muscle in the knee (adjusted for muscle volume) was measured in 79 middle-aged and older adults (30 men and 49 women, age range 50-85 yrs). Results indicated that men had 55% greater muscle volume (less than 0.001), 24% greater strength (P less than 0.01), 9% greater muscle quality (P less than 0.05), 26% greater peak muscle power (P less than 0.01), and 14% greater muscle power quality (P less than 0.001) than women. However, women displayed a 38% faster peak movement velocity than men when expressed per unit of muscle (P less than 0.001). African Americans had 20% greater muscle volume than Caucasians (P less than 0.001), but 11% lower muscle quality (P less than 0.01) and a 17% lower movement velocity quality (P less than 0.05) than Caucasians of similar age. There were no significant race differences in peak muscle power or MPQ. These results indicate that men have greater knee muscle strength and power than women, but women have a faster knee extension movement than men. African Americans have greater knee extensor muscle volume than Caucasians, but exhibit lower knee extensor strength and movement velocity per unit of muscle. These findings will have impact on the design of exercise strength training regimens for older adults of different races and sexes and are of interest to health professionals, physical therapists, and exercise physiologists.

Technical Abstract: To determine sex and race differences in muscle power per unit of muscle contraction (i.e., muscle power quality) (MPQ), knee extensor muscle power normalized for knee extensor muscle volume was measured in 79 middle-aged and older adults (30 men and 49 women, age range 50-85 yrs). Results indicated that men had 55% greater muscle volume (MV; P less than 0.001), 24% greater 1 RM strength (P less than 0.01), 9% greater muscle quality (MQ; 1 RM/MV; P less than 0.05), 26% greater peak muscle power (PP; P less than 0.01), and 14% greater MPQ (PP/MV; P less than 0.001) than women. However, women displayed a 38% faster peak movement velocity than men when expressed per unit of muscle, or movement velocity quality (PV/MV; P less than 0.001). Race analysis showed that African Americans had 20% greater MV than Caucasians (P less than 0.001), but 11% lower MQ (P less than 0.01) and a 17% lower movement velocity quality (P less than 0.05) than Caucasians of similar age. There were no significant race differences in peak power or MPQ. These results indicate that, as expected, men exhibit greater knee extensor strength and peak power per unit of muscle than women, but women have a faster knee extension movement velocity per unit of muscle than men. Moreover, African Americans have greater knee extensor muscle volume than Caucasians, but exhibit lower knee extensor strength and movement velocity per unit of muscle.