The isolated and combined effects of menstrual cycle phase and time-of-day on muscle strength of eumenorrheic females

Diurnal variation in muscle performance has been well documented in the past few years, but almost exclusively in the male population. The possible effects of the menstrual cycle on human circadian rhythms have remained equivocal, particularly in the context of muscle strength. The purpose of the study was to analyze the isolated and combined effects of circamensal variation and diurnal changes on muscle strength. Eight eumenorrheic females (age 30 +/- 5 yrs, height 1.63 +/- 0.06m and body mass 66.26 +/- 4.6kg: mean +/- SD) participated in this investigation. Isokinetic peak torque of knee extensors and flexors of the dominant leg were measured at 1.05, 3.14rad.s(-1) (through 90 degrees ROM) at two times-of-day (06:00, 18:00 h) and five time points of the menstrual cycle (menses, mid-follicular, ovulation, mid-luteal, late luteal). In addition, maximum voluntary isometric contraction of knee extensors and flexors and electrically stimulated isometric contraction of the knee extensors were measured at 60 degrees of knee flexion. Rectal temperature was measured during 30min before the tests. There was a significant time-of-day effect on peak torque values for isometric contraction of knee extensors under electrical stimulation (P< 0.05). At 18:00 h, muscle force was 2.6% greater than at 06:00 h. The time-of-day effect was not significant when the tests were performed voluntarily without stimulation: effect size calculations indicated small differences between morning and evening for maximal voluntary isometric contraction and peak torque (at 1.05rad.s(-1) for the knee extensors. A circamensal variation was observed for peak torque of knee flexors at 1.05rad.s(-1), extensors at 3.14rad.s(-1), and also isometric contraction of knee flexors, values being greatest at the ovulation phase. Interaction effects between time-of-day and menstrual cycle phase were not observed in any of the indices of muscle strength studied. The phase of the menstrual cycle seemed to have a greater effect than did the time-of-day on female muscle strength in this group of subjects. The present results suggest that peripheral rather than central mechanisms (e.g., motivation) are implicated in the diurnal variation of maximal isometric strength of women.     

The Isolated and Combined Effects of Menstrual Cycle Phase and Time-of-Day on Muscle Strength of Eumenorrheic Females

Diurnal variation in muscle performance has been well documented in the past few years, but almost exclusively in the male population. The possible effects of the menstrual cycle on human circadian rhythms have remained equivocal, particularly in the context of muscle strength. The purpose of the study was to analyze the isolated and combined effects of circamensal variation and diurnal changes on muscle strength. Eight eumenorrheic females (age 30 ± 5 yrs, height 1.63 ± 0.06 m and body mass 66.26 ± 4.6 kg: mean ± SD) participated in this investigation. Isokinetic peak torque of knee extensors and flexors of the dominant leg were measured at 1.05, 3.14 rad.s^?1 (through 90° ROM) at two times-of-day (06:00, 18:00 h) and five time points of the menstrual cycle (menses, mid-follicular, ovulation, mid-luteal, late luteal). In addition, maximum voluntary isometric contraction of knee extensors and flexors and electrically stimulated isometric contraction of the knee extensors were measured at 60° of knee flexion. Rectal temperature was measured during 30 min before the tests. There was a significant time-of-day effect on peak torque values for isometric contraction of knee extensors under electrical stimulation (P < 0.05). At 18:00 h, muscle force was 2.6% greater than at 06:00 h. The time-of-day effect was not significant when the tests were performed voluntarily without stimulation: effect size calculations indicated small differences between morning and evening for maximal voluntary isometric contraction and peak torque (at 1.05 rad.s^?1) for the knee extensors. A circamensal variation was observed for peak torque of knee flexors at 1.05 rad.s^?1, extensors at 3.14 rad.s^?1, and also isometric contraction of knee flexors, values being greatest at the ovulation phase. Interaction effects between time-of-day and menstrual cycle phase were not observed in any of the indices of muscle strength studied. The phase of the menstrual cycle seemed to have a greater effect than did the time-of-day on female muscle strength in this group of subjects. The present results suggest that peripheral rather than central mechanisms (e.g., motivation) are implicated in the diurnal variation of maximal isometric strength of women.     

Maximal voluntary isometric strength in Danish adolescents 16-19 years of age

The force in maximal voluntary isometric contraction of elbow flexors, knee extensors, trunk flexors, and trunk extensors was measured in a representative sample of Danish school children 16-19 years of age (128 boys and 165 girls). The 16 year old boys were 177.8 cm in height, with a mean increase of 1.4 cm per year up to 19 years, and they weighed 66.0 kg, with a mean increase of 1.8 kg per year up to age 19. The girls were 168.0 cm in height with no increase up to age 19, and their mean weight was 59.6 kg, which increased by 1.8 kg per year up to age 19 (p greater than 0.05). The strength in the four muscle groups for boys a girls respectively was 281 N and 182 N for elbow flexors, 574 N and 419 N for knee extensors, 601 N and 404 N for trunk flexors and 664 N and 499 N for trunk extensors. An increase in strength in the elbow and trunk flexors and a decrease in strength in the trunk extensors in relation to values obtained in 1956 was seen, and a difference in strength per kg lean body mass between the boys and the girls was also observed. The estimated strength per unit cross-sectional area of muscle was 38 N X cm-2 in both boys and girls.     

Isokinetic knee joint evaluation in track and field events

The purpose of this study was to evaluate maximal torque of the knee flexors and extensors, flexor/extensor ratios, and maximal torque differences between the 2 lower extremities in young track and field athletes. Forty male track and field athletes 13-17 years old and 20 male nonathletes of the same age participated in the study. Athletes were divided into 4 groups according to their age and event (12 runners and 10 jumpers 13-15 years old, 12 runners and 6 jumpers 16-17 years old) and nonathletes into 2 groups of the same age. Maximal torque evaluation of knee flexors and extensors was performed on an isokinetic dynamometer at 60°·s(-1). At the age of 16-17 years, jumpers exhibited higher strength values at extension than did runners and nonathletes, whereas at the age of 13-15 years, no significant differences were found between events. Younger athletes were weaker than older athletes at flexion. Runners and jumpers were stronger than nonathletes in all relative peak torque parameters. Nonathletes exhibited a higher flexor/extensor ratio compared with runners and jumpers. Strength imbalance in athletes was found between the 2 lower extremities in knee flexors and extensors and also at flexor/extensor ratio of the same extremity. Young track and field athletes exhibit strength imbalances that could reduce their athletic performance, and specific strength training for the weak extremity may be needed.     

Relation between Peak Power Output in Sprint Cycling and Maximum Voluntary Isometric Torque Production

From a cycling paradigm, little has been done to understand the relationships between maximal isometric strength of different single joint lower body muscle groups and their relation with, and ability to predict PPO and how they compare to an isometric cycling specific task. The aim of this study was to establish relationships between maximal voluntary torque production from isometric single-joint and cycling specific tasks and assess their ability to predict PPO. Twenty male trained cyclists participated in this study. Peak torque was measured by performing maximum voluntary contractions (MVC) of knee extensors, knee flexors, dorsi flexors and hip extensors whilst instrumented cranks measured isometric peak torque from MVC when participants were in their cycling specific position (ISOCYC). A stepwise regression showed that peak torque of the knee extensors was the only significant predictor of PPO when using SJD and accounted for 47% of the variance. However, when compared to ISOCYC, the only significant predictor of PPO was ISOCYC, which accounted for 77% of the variance. This suggests that peak torque of the knee extensors was the best single-joint predictor of PPO in sprint cycling. Furthermore, a stronger prediction can be made from a task specific isometric task.     

Co-activation of vastus lateralis and biceps femoris muscles in pubertal children and adults

Determining the mechanisms of co-activation around the knee joint with respect to age and sex is important in terms of our greater understanding of strength development. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of age, sex and muscle action on moment of force and electromyographic (EMG) activity of the agonist and antagonist muscle groups during isokinetic eccentric and concentric knee extension and flexion. The study comprised nine pubertal boys [mean age 12.6 (SD 0.5) years], nine girls [12.7 (SD 0.5) years] nine adult men [23.1 (SD 2.1) years] and nine adult women [23.7 (SD 3.1) years] who performed maximal isometric eccentric and concentric efforts of knee extensors and flexors on a dynamometer at 30 degrees x s(-1). The moment of force and surface EMG activity of vastus lateralis and biceps femoris muscles were recorded. The moment of force:agonist averaged EMG (aEMG) ratios were calculated. The antagonist aEMG values were expressed as a percentage of the aEMG activity of the same muscle, at the same angle, angular velocity and muscle action when the muscle was acting as agonist. Three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) designs indicated no significant effects of age or sex on moment:aEMG ratios. Eccentric ratios were significantly higher than the corresponding concentric ones (P < 0.05). The results also indicated no significant effect of age and sex on the aEMG of the vastus lateralis and biceps femoris muscles when acting as antagonists. The antagonist aEMG was significantly greater during concentric agonist efforts compared with the corresponding eccentric ones (P < 0.05). These findings would suggest that the moment exerted per unit of agonist EMG and the antagonist activity are similar in children compared with adults and are not sex dependent. Future comparisons between eccentric and concentric moments of force and agonist ENG should take into consideration the antagonist effects, irrespective of age or sex.     

Potentiation of knee extensor contraction by antagonist conditioning contraction at several intensities

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of graded conditioning contractions of the antagonist knee flexor muscles on the output characteristics of knee extensor muscles in healthy humans. Eight male university students performed maximum isometric contractions of knee extensors, preceded by isometric conditioning contractions of the antagonist knee flexors. The developed force and electromyographic (EMG) amplitudes of the knee extensors after the conditioning contraction were measured and compared with those of simple knee extension without conditioning. The forces of the conditioning flexor contraction were set at three levels: low (20% of maximum voluntary contraction: MVC), moderate (60% of MVC), and high (100% of MVC). The EMG amplitudes of the vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, and rectus femoris muscle were recorded and the root mean square amplitudes were calculated. The strongest enhancement of the extension force was obtained by moderate intensity conditioning contraction (108.95+/-1.87% of simple knee extension), although high intensity conditioning also induced a significant increase (105.41+/-2.69%). Low intensity conditioning did not cause a significant enhancement of the contraction force (103.17+/-2.99%). Similarly, the EMG amplitudes were significantly increased by moderate and/or high conditioning. These results suggest that antagonist conditioning contraction of moderate intensities is sufficient and may be optimal to potentiate knee extensor contraction.     

Power and work produced in different leg muscle groups when rising from a chair

The aim of this study was to determine the power output and work done by different muscle groups at the hip and knee joints during a rising movement, to be able to tell the degree of activation of the muscle groups and the relationship between concentric and eccentric work. Nine healthy male subjects rose from a chair with the seat at knee level. The moments of force about the hip and knee joints were calculated semidynamically. The power output (P) and work in the different muscle groups surrounding the joints was calculated as moment of force times joint angular velocity. Work was calculated as: work = f Pdt. The mean peak concentric power output was for the hip extensors 49.9 W, hip flexors 7.9 W and knee extensor 89.5 W. This power output corresponded to a net concentric work of 20.7 J, 1.0 J and 55.6 J, respectively. There was no concentric power output from the knee flexor muscles. Energy absorption through eccentric muscle action was produced by the hip extensors and hip flexors with a mean peak power output of 4.8 W and 7.4 W, respectively. It was concluded that during rising, the hip and knee muscles mainly worked concentrically and that the greatest power output and work were produced during concentric contraction of the knee and hip extensor muscles. There was however also a demand for eccentric work by the hip extensors as well as both concentric and eccentric work by the hip flexors. The knee flexor muscles were unloaded.     

Power output and work in different muscle groups during ergometer cycling

The aim of this study was to calculate the magnitude of the instantaneous muscular power output at the hip, knee and ankle joints during ergometer cycling. Six healthy subjects pedalled a weight-braked bicycle ergometer at 120 watts (W) and 60 revolutions per minute (rpm). The subjects were filmed with a cine camera, and pedal reaction forces were recorded from a force transducer mounted in the pedal. The muscular work at the hip, knee and ankle joint was calculated using a model based upon dynamic mechanics described elsewhere. The mean peak concentric power output was, for the hip extensors, 74.4 W, hip flexors, 18.0 W, knee extensors, 110.1 W, knee flexors, 30.0 W and ankle plantar flexors, 59.4 W. At the ankle joint, energy absorption through eccentric plantar flexor action was observed, with a mean peak power of 11.4 W and negative work of 3.4 J for each limb and complete pedal revolution. The energy production relationships between the different major muscle groups were computed and the contributions to the total positive work were: hip extensors, 27%; hip flexors, 4%; knee extensors, 39%; knee flexors, 10%; and ankle plantar flexors 20%.     

Force of knee extensor and flexor muscles and cross-sectional area determined by nuclear magnetic resonance imaging

The maximal strengths of knee extensor (E) and flexor (F) muscles were compared in a group of 6 male subjects aged 24-31 years. Cross-sectional area (CSA) of E and F was evaluated from planimetric measurements of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) imaging axial scans, carried out at five levels along the thigh. Maximal CSA for E was found at 2/3 upper femur height and at 1/3 lower femur height for F. Maximum isometric force (MIF) of E was found to be 135% greater than that of F. The maximum CSA of E was found to be 93% larger than CSA of F. The calculated mechanical advantage of the flexors was estimated to be 13.8% higher than that of the knee extensors (0.116 +/- 0.012 and 0.132 +/- 0.005, respectively). However, when MIF of E and F were standardised for their respective CSA, no significant difference was found between their stress: 80.1 +/- 15.5 N.cm-2 for E and 70.5 +/- 7.0 N.cm-2 for F. From the present study, it is concluded that no significant difference exists between the maximum stress of knee extensor and flexor muscles despite large differences in their absolute values of force and CSA and that the NMR imaging technique enables accurate in-vivo determination of the CSA of individual muscles.     

Morphological and mechanical properties of muscle and tendon in highly trained sprinters

The purpose of this study was to investigate muscle and tendon properties in highly trained sprinters and their relations to running performance. Fifteen sprinters and 15 untrained subjects participated in this study. Muscle thickness and tendon stiffness of knee extensors and plantar flexors were measured. Sprinter muscle thickness was significantly greater than that of the untrained subjects for plantar flexors, but not for knee extensors (except for the medial side). Sprinter tendon stiffness was significantly lower than that of the untrained subjects for knee extensors, but not for plantar flexors. The best official record of a 100-m race was significantly correlated to the muscle thickness of the medial side for knee extensors. In conclusion, the tendon structures of highly trained sprinters are more compliant than those of untrained subjects for knee extensors, but not for plantar flexors. Furthermore, a thicker medial side of knee extensors was associated with greater sprinting performance.     

Muscle strength assessment from functional performance tests: role of body size

The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that the body size plays an important role in assessment of muscle ability to exert force by standard functional performance tests. Twenty-one male students were tested on maximal isometric lift, one leg rising, vertical jump, and box lift tests, and the maximal isokinetic strength of hip and knee extensors was also recorded. When indices of the 4 functional performance tests were related to the strength of each of the 2 leg extensor muscle groups, only maximal isometric lift demonstrated positive correlation with knee extensors strength. When muscle strength was corrected for body mass, however, the aforementioned relationship became insignificant, but the 1 leg rising performance demonstrated a positive relationship with knee extensor strength. In addition, maximal isometric lift and 1 leg rising test performance provided positive and negative correlation, respectively, with body mass. The obtained findings were in line with the effects of scale applied on the tested performance. We generally conclude that the assessment of muscle capability to exert force based on some standard functional performance tests could be confounded by the body size effect.     

Comparison of elasticity of human tendon and aponeurosis in knee extensors and ankle plantar flexors in vivo

The purposes of this study were to compare the elasticity of tendon and aponeurosis in human knee extensors and ankle plantar flexors in vivo and to examine whether the maximal strain of tendon was correlated to that of aponeurosis. The elongation of tendon and aponeurosis during isometric knee extension (n = 23) and ankle plantar flexion (n = 22), respectively, were determined using a real-time ultrasonic apparatus, while the participants performed ramp isometric contractions up to voluntary maximum. To calculate the strain values from the measured elongation, we measured the respective length of tendon and aponeurosis. For the knee extensors, the maximal strain of aponeurosis (12.1 +/- 2.8 %) was significantly greater than that of the patella tendon (8.3 +/- 2.4 %), p < 0.001. On the contrary, the maximal strain of Achilles tendon (5.9 +/- 1.4 %) was significantly greater than that of aponeurosis in ankle plantar flexors (2.7 +/- 1.4 %), p < 0.001. Furthermore, for both knee extensors and ankle plantar flexors there was no significant correlation between maximal strain of tendon and aponeurosis. These results would be important for understanding the different roles of tendon and aponeurosis during human movements and for more accurate muscle modeling.     

Aging, muscle fiber type, and contractile function in sprint-trained athletes.

Biopsy samples were taken from the vastus lateralis of 18- to 84-yr-old male sprinters (n = 91). Fiber-type distribution, cross-sectional area, and myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform content were identified using ATPase histochemistry and SDS-PAGE. Specific tension and maximum shortening velocity (V(o)) were determined in 144 single skinned fibers from younger (18-33 yr, n = 8) and older (53-77 yr, n = 9) runners. Force-time characteristics of the knee extensors were determined by using isometric contraction. The cross-sectional area of type I fibers was unchanged with age, whereas that of type II fibers was reduced (P < 0.001). With age there was an increased MHC I (P < 0.01) and reduced MHC IIx isoform content (P < 0.05) but no differences in MHC IIa. Specific tension of type I and IIa MHC fibers did not differ between younger and older subjects. V(o) of fibers expressing type I MHC was lower (P < 0.05) in older than in younger subjects, but there was no difference in V(o) of type IIa MHC fibers. An aging-related decline of maximal isometric force (P < 0.001) and normalized rate of force development (P < 0.05) of knee extensors was observed. Normalized rate of force development was positively associated with MHC II (P < 0.05). The sprint-trained athletes experienced the typical aging-related reduction in the size of fast fibers, a shift toward a slower MHC isoform profile, and a lower V(o) of type I MHC fibers, which played a role in the decline in explosive force production. However, the muscle characteristics were preserved at a high level in the oldest runners, underlining the favorable impact of sprint exercise on aging muscle.     

Standard anthropometric, body composition, and strength variables as predictors of jumping performance in elite junior athletes

The aim of the study was to investigate whether variables routinely assessed while testing athletes can also predict movement performance. The relation between jumping performance and standard strength, anthropometric, and body composition variables was examined in elite junior basketball players. The 33 males were tested for maximal vertical jump, as well as for maximal isometric voluntary force and rate of force development of hip and knee extensors. Standard anthropometric and body composition measures (body height, lean body mass, as well as the percentage of fat and muscle tissue) were also taken. Except for maximal isometric forces (0.38 and 0.52 N.kg(-1) for hip and knee extensors, respectively), all correlation coefficients between the selected variables and jump height were insignificant. As a consequence, the corresponding multiple correlation coefficient, R = 0.71, also suggested a moderate predictability of jumping performance by the standard strength tests and anthropometric and body composition variables. The results obtained dispute the use of the examined tests in sport performance assessment, and also question applying the tests for other purposes such as evaluation of training procedures or selection of young athletes. Therefore, the results are in line with the concept that a reliable performance assessment in homogeneous groups of athletes requires predominantly movement-specific testing.     

The relationship between muscle kinetic parameters and kinematic variables in a complex movement

Kinematic variables of the vertical jump (jumping height, jump phase durations and joint angles) were measured on 39 male physical education students. In addition, kinetic parameters of the hip and knee extensors, and of the plantar flexors (maxima voluntary force and its rate of development) were recorded on the same subjects, in isometric conditions. The results demonstrated significant positive correlations between kinetic parameters of the active muscle groups and jumping height (r = 0.217-0.464). The dominant effect on these correlations was due to the knee extensors. Correlations between these parameters and the duration of the jump phases were much weaker. Correlation coefficients between kinetic parameters and limb angles in the lowest body position showed that fast force production in one muscle group was related to a significant decrease in the joint angles of distant body segments. Multiple correlation coefficients between leg extensor parameters and kinematic variables (ranging between 0.256 for the duration of the counter-movement phase and 0.616 for jump height) suggested that kinetic parameters could explain more than a quarter of the variability of this complex human movement. Therefore, the conclusion was drawn that an extended set of measurements of the relevant musculo-skeletal system parameters could predict a considerable amount of the variability of human movement. However, high correlation coefficients between the same kinetic parameters of different muscle groups suggest that not all active muscle groups have to be included in the measurements.     

Effect of squat depth and barbell load on relative muscular effort in squatting

ABSTRACT: Bryanton, MA, Kennedy, MD, Carey, JP, and Chiu, LZF. Effect of squat depth and barbell load on relative muscular effort in squatting. J Strength Cond Res 26(10): 2820-2828, 2012-Resistance training is used to develop muscular strength and hypertrophy. Large muscle forces, in relation to the muscle's maximum force-generating ability, are required to elicit these adaptations. Previous biomechanical analyses of multi-joint resistance exercises provide estimates of muscle force but not relative muscular effort (RME). The purpose of this investigation was to determine the RME during the squat exercise. Specifically, the effects of barbell load and squat depth on hip extensor, knee extensor, and ankle plantar flexor RME were examined. Ten strength-trained women performed squats (50-90% 1 repetition maximum) in a motion analysis laboratory to determine hip extensor, knee extensor, and ankle plantar flexor net joint moment (NJM). Maximum isometric strength in relation to joint angle for these muscle groups was also determined. Relative muscular effect was determined as the ratio of NJM to maximum voluntary torque matched for joint angle. Barbell load and squat depth had significant interaction effects on hip extensor, knee extensor, and ankle plantar flexor RME (p < 0.05). Knee extensor RME increased with greater squat depth but not barbell load, whereas the opposite was found for the ankle plantar flexors. Both greater squat depth and barbell load increased hip extensor RME. These data suggest that training for the knee extensors can be performed with low relative intensities but require a deep squat depth. Heavier barbell loads are required to train the hip extensors and ankle plantar flexors. In designing resistance training programs with multi-joint exercises, how external factors influence RME of different muscle groups should be considered to meet training objectives.     

Sensitivity of dynamic simulations of gait and dynamometer experiments to hill muscle model parameters of knee flexors and extensors

We assessed and compared sensitivities of dynamic simulations to musculotendon (MT) parameters for gait and dynamometer experiments. Our aim with this comparison was to investigate whether dynamometer experiments could provide information about MT-parameters that are important to reliably study MT-function during gait. This would mean that dynamometer experiments could be used to estimate these parameters. Muscle contribution to the joint torque (MT-torque) rather than relative MT-force primarily affects the resulting gait pattern and torque measured by the dynamometer. In contrast to recent studies, therefore, we assessed the sensitivity of the MT-torque, rather than the sensitivity of the relative MT-force. Based on sensitivity of the MT-torque to a parameter perturbation, MT-parameters of the knee flexors and extensors were classified in three categories: low, medium, and high. For gait, classification was based on the average sensitivity during a gait cycle. For isometric and isokinetic dynamometer experiments, classification was based on the highest sensitivity found in the experiments. The calculated muscle contributions to the knee torque during gait and dynamometer experiments had a high sensitivity to only a limited number of MT-parameters of the knee flexors and extensors, suggesting that not all MT-parameters need to be estimated. In general, the highest sensitivity was found for tendon slack length. However, for some muscles the sensitivity to the optimal fibre length or the maximal isometric muscle force was also high or medium. The classification of the individual MT-parameters for gait and dynamometer experiments was largely similar. We therefore conclude that dynamometer experiments provide information about MT-parameters important to reliably study MT-function during gait, so that subject-specific estimates of MT-parameters could be made based on dynamometer experiments.     

Local muscle blood flow and sustained contractions of human arm and back muscles.

The endurance during sustained contraction of elbow, flexors, elbow extensors, and back extensors was tested in 3 human subjects. The force level used was varied between ca. 15 and ca. 75% of maximal isometric strength (IS). The clearance of 133Xe from contracting muscles was registered during and after the endurance test. In this way it was possible to determine whether muscle blood flow (MBF) was increased or had stopped during the contraction. Experiments with artificial ischaemia of the upper arm together with MBF measurements showed that MBF was of no importance for continuing sustained contractions above a certain force level, which was 50,25, and 40% of IS for elbow flexors, elbow extensors and back extensors, respectively. However, the level, where longer lasting ( greater than 15 min) sustained contraction is possible is directly related to MBF. These levels were 22, 15, and 20% IS for elbow flexors, elbow extensors, and back extensors, respectively.     

Effects of age and regular exercise on muscle strength and endurance

Twenty male and 20 female non-professional tennis players were classified into two different age groups (n = 10 per group): young active men (30.4 +/- 3.3 years), young active women (27.5 +/- 4.3 years), elderly active men (64.4 +/- 3.7 years), and elderly active women (65.3 +/- 4.5 years). These individuals were matched (n = 10 per group) according to sex, age, height and mass to sedentary individuals of the same socio-economical background: young sedentary men (29.2 +/- 3.4 years), young sedentary women (25.6 +/- 4.4 years), elderly sedentary men (65.2 +/- 3.2 years) and elderly sedentary women (65.6 +/- 4.4 years). An isokinetic dynamometer was used to measure the strength of the knee extensors and flexors (two separate occasions) and the endurance of the extensors. Vastus lateralis electromyogram (EMG) was measured concomitantly. Significant sex, age and exercise effects (P less than 0.001) were observed for peak torque of both muscle groups. The effect of age on extensor strength was more pronounced at high speeds where men were also able to generate larger relative torques than women. No age or sex effects were noted for muscle endurance. However, muscles of active individuals demonstrated a greater resistance to fatigue than those of sedentary individuals. In conclusion, men were found to be stronger than women, age was associated with a decrease in muscle strength, but not of muscle endurance, and tennis players were stronger and had muscles that were more resistant to fatigue than their sedentary pairs in both age groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)