Muscle Torque in Young and Older Untrained and Endurance-Trained Men

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Abstract
Plantar flexor torque was measured in 24 young (25 ± 1.4 y) and older (62 ± 2 y) untrained and endurance-trained men to test the hypothesis that age-associated declines in muscle function would be attenuated in older men who also endurance trained. Endurance-trained subjects averaged 7–9 h/wk of aerobic activity for 10–12 years. These subjects had not engaged in resistance training previously in the past 10 years. Plantar flexor torque was measured at velocities between 0 and 5.23 rads • s−1. In absolute terms, maximal isometric torque was 23% lower in older men compared to young men, regardless of their training status. On the other hand, relative measures of isometric strength (i.e., torque • muscle cross-sectional area−1 and torque • muscle volume−1) were similar in young and older men but were higher in trained than in untrained men. Isokinetic torque • muscle cross-sectional area−1 and torque • muscle volume−1 was greater at contraction velocities of 0.26–2.09 rads • s−1 for trained subjects. These data suggest that endurance training does not attenuate the age-associated loss of muscle mass or absolute strength. However, endurance training might reduce the extent of loss of relative strength because torque • muscle cross-sectional area−1 and torque • muscle volume−1 are greater in endurance-trained older men than in untrained older men.