Sex Differences in Quadriceps Strength in OA

• Published in: International journal of sports medicine 2012-11, Vol.33 (11), p.926-933
• Main Authors: Berger, M. J., McKenzie, C. A., Chess, D. G., Goela, A., Doherty, T. J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Female; Force; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Isometric Contraction - physiology; Isotonics; Knees; Male; Measurement; Middle Aged; Muscle Fibers, Skeletal - metabolism; Muscle Strength - physiology; Muscles (size); Orthopedics & Biomechanics; Osteoarthritis, Knee - physiopathology; Power; Quadriceps Muscle - physiology; Sex differences; Sex Factors; Torque; Velocity; Vertebrates: body movement. Posture. Locomotion. Flight. Swimming. Physical exercise. Rest. Sports; Women
• ISSN: 0172-4622; 1439-3964
• DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1311587

Abstract The purposes of this study were to determine 1) whether sex differences in quadriceps torque and isotonic power persist when controlling for muscle volume (i. e., torque/muscle volume and power/muscle volume) in participants with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and 2) the factors responsible for potential sex differences. Isometric torque, isotonic power (the product of torque and velocity, measured at 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50% maximal voluntary contraction; MVC) and maximal unloaded velocity were assessed in men (n=16, mean age=62.1±7.2) and women (n=17, mean age=60.4±4.3) with knee OA. Torque and power were normalized to muscle volume. The interpolated twitch technique was used to measure voluntary activation (VA) and evoked twitch and torque-frequency characteristics were measured to obtain information about muscle fibre distribution. Torque and power at all loads were significantly lower in women (p