The aging effect on the joint muscle strength among exercising and non-exercising elderly people

Abstract

This study was designed to quantitatively evaluate the level of decline of muscle strength of elderly people who are over 70`s. For the experiment, twenty elderly males and females who do regular exercise (mainly walking) and another twenty elderly males and females who do not exercise were recruited. Ten young males and females at their 20`s were also recruited as control group subjects. The isometric maximum strengths of shoulder, wrist, hip, knee and ankle joint were measureed by using Cybex machine. ANOVA and Duncan analysis were used to examine the statistical difference among groups. In result, significant differences among groups were found at the shoulder flexion and extension, the wrist supination, the hip flexion and extension, the knee flexion and extension. Moreover, the decline rate of the maximum strength was compared between exercising elderly and non-exercising elderly group. In conclusion, this study quantitatively showed the level of decline of muscle strength on individual joint due to either ageing or the lack of exercise. Such data can be applied to design an ergonomic working environmemt for elderly people. Moreover, this data can be used for trainer to design an exercise program to compensate the lack of those physical abilities.