Skeletal Muscle Power
In Brief Muscle power declines earlier and more precipitously with advancing age compared with muscle strength. Peak muscle power also has emerged as an important predictor of functional limitations in older adults. Our current working hypothesis is focused on examining lower extremity muscle power as a more discriminant variable for understanding the relationships between impairments, functional limitations, and resultant disability with aging. This article emphasizes that skeletal muscle power impairments are critical physiological determinants of physical functioning and mobility limitations among older adults.