Skeletal Muscle Power: A Critical Determinant of Physical Functioning in Older Adults

REID, K.F. and R.A. FIELDING. Skeletal muscle power: a critical determinant of physical functioning in older adults. Exerc. Sport Sci. Rev., Vol. 40, No. 1, pp. 4-12, 2012. Muscle power declines earlier and more precipitously with advancing age compared with muscle strength. Peak muscle power also has emerged as an important predictor of functional limitations in older adults. Our current working hypothesis is focused on examining lower extremity muscle power as a more discriminant variable for understanding the relationships between impairments, functional limitations, and resultant disability with aging.