Tarpenning Kyle M, Hamilton-Wessler Marianthe, Wiswell Robert A, Hawkins Steven A
School of Human Movement Studies, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, NSW, Australia.
Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2004 Jan;36(1):74-8. doi: 10.1249/01.MSS.0000106179.73735.A6.
It has been reported that maximal strength peaks at approximately 30 yr of age, plateaus, and remains relatively stable for the next 20 yr, with an age-related decline in strength becoming significant after age 50. Much of the research attributes this decrease in peak force to age-associated reductions in muscle mass, with a selective atrophy and reduction in Type II fiber area and number being the primary factors. The influence that chronic endurance training has upon age-associated changes in muscular strength and muscle morphology has been largely undetermined. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the influence of chronic endurance training and age on leg extensor strength, and muscle fiber size and type distribution.
Male master runners (N = 107, age range = 40-88 yr) were tested for maximal strength of the leg extensor muscles. A subgroup of 30 master athletes participated in muscle biopsy testing. The effects of age were addressed by subdividing the sample into five cohorts.
Peak isokinetic concentric torque did not differ between age groups until after age 70 yr. Regression analysis revealed a significant (P < 0.05, r(2) = 0.1838) age-associated decrease in relative strength (N.m.kg(-1) lean body mass). Type I and Type II fiber area and distribution did not differ between age groups through the eighth decade.
These data suggest that chronic endurance training can delay the age of significant decline in peak torque and changes in muscle morphology characteristics of the vastus lateralis.
据报道，最大力量在约30岁时达到峰值，随后保持平稳，并在接下来的20年里相对稳定，50岁以后与年龄相关的力量下降变得显著。许多研究将峰值力量的这种下降归因于与年龄相关的肌肉质量减少，其中选择性萎缩以及II型肌纤维面积和数量的减少是主要因素。长期耐力训练对与年龄相关的肌肉力量和肌肉形态变化的影响在很大程度上尚未确定。本研究的目的是探讨长期耐力训练和年龄对伸腿力量、肌纤维大小和类型分布的影响。
对男性成年跑步者（N = 107，年龄范围 = 40 - 88岁）进行伸腿肌肉最大力量测试。30名成年运动员的亚组参与了肌肉活检测试。通过将样本细分为五个队列来研究年龄的影响。
直到70岁以后，各年龄组之间的等速向心峰值扭矩没有差异。回归分析显示，相对力量（N.m.kg⁻¹ 去脂体重）与年龄相关的下降显著（P < 0.05，r² = 0.1838）。在八十岁之前，各年龄组之间的I型和II型肌纤维面积及分布没有差异。
这些数据表明，长期耐力训练可以延缓外侧股四头肌峰值扭矩显著下降的年龄以及肌肉形态特征的变化。
