Age differences in hand grip power in the elderly

This study aimed to clarify the age-level difference of hand grip power in females. The subjects were 15 healthy young females (mean age 21.5 +/- 1.4 years, mean height 159.5 +/- 2.9 cm, mean mass 52.6 +/- 6.1 kg) and 15 elderly females (mean age 65.0 +/- 2.6 years, mean height 155.2 +/- 5.3 cm, mean mass 56.5 +/- 7.3 kg). Peak velocity of the dominant hand was measured using three different loads of 30, 40 and 50% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). The MVC and hand grip power were meaningfully greater in the young group than in the elderly group. The peak velocity in all loads showed a meaningful difference between both groups and it was faster in the order of 30, 40 and 50% MVC in both groups. The required time to reach peak velocity at 50% MVC was meaningfully longer in the elderly group, but was significantly shorter at 30% MVC than at 40 and 50% MVC in both groups. In conclusion, the age-level difference in hand grip power using relative loads depends more greatly on MVC than velocity in females. The muscle tensile related to hand grip movement decreases with age. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.