Summary
The aim of this study was to examine the role of socio-economic status and the practice of physical exercise in explaining variation in muscle strength in 50 to 60-year-old women. Consequently, four study groups combining education and physical activity were formed: (1) university education, physically active; (2) university education, sedentary; (3) vocational or lower level of education, physically active; (4) vocational or lower level of education, sedentary. Maximal isometric strength of hand grip, arm flexion, body flexion and extension as well as dynamic power of the abdominal muscles were measured in 112 women. The results of the maximal isometric strength measurements were standardised by body mass index. The means of the maximal isometric strength results and sit-up tests were compared between the groups using two-way analysis of variance. The physically active women performed better than the sedentary in both the isometric and dynamic tests. Greater muscle strength was also found among the more highly educated compared with the less educated. The less educated sedentary women showed the poorest performance in the strength tests.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.
References
American College of Sports Medicine (1980) Guidelines for graded testing and exercise prescription. Lea and Febiger, Philadelphia
Aro S, Räsänen L, Telama R (1985) Social class and changes in health related habits in Finland in 1973–1983. Scand J Soc Med 14:39–47
Aukee R, Rauhala P, Rimpelä U (1985) Social status, health and health behaviour. An empirical study of 20, 30, and 40-year old residents of Tampere (In Finnish, English summary). Publications of the Department of Public Health M88/85, University of Tampere, Tampere
Borkan GA, Norris AH (1980) Biological age in adulthood: comparison of active and inactive US. males. Hum Biol 52:787–802
Cauley JA, Petrini AM, LaPorte RE, Sandler RB, Bayles CM, Robertson RJ, Slemenda CW (1987) The decline of grip strength in menopause: relationship to physical activity, estrogen use and antropometric factors. J Chron Dis 40:115–120
Durnin J, Womersley J (1974) Body fat assessed from total body density and its estimation from skinfold thickness: measurements on 481 men and women aged from 16 to 72 years. Br J Nutr 32:77–97
Eitner S, Ruhland W, Siggelkow H (1975) Praktische Gerohygiene. Steinkopt, Dresden
Era P, Lyyra AL, Viitasalo JT, Heikkinen E (1992) Determinants of isometric muscle strength in men of different ages. Eur J Appl Physiol 64:84–91
Fiatarone MA, Marks EC, Ryan ND, Meredith CN, Lipsitz LA, Evans WJ (1990) High-intensity strength training in nonagenarians. Effects on skeletal muscle. JAMA 263:3029–3034
Heikkinen E, Arajärvi R, Era P et al (1984) Functional capacity of men born 1906–1910, 1926–30,1946–50. A basic report. Scand J Soc Med [Suppl] 33:1–93
Holloway JB, Baechle TR (1990) Strength training for female athletes. A review of selected aspects. Sports Med 9:216–228
Laakso L (1986) Habitual physical activity among adult population (in Finnish). In: Vuolle P, Telema R, Laakso L (eds) Reports of physical culture and health 50. Valtion Painatuskeskus, Helsinki, pp 87–99
Larsson L, Grimby G, Karlsson J (1979) Muscle strength and speed of movement in relation to age and muscle morphology. J Appl Physiol 46:451–456
Mälkiä E (1983) Muscular performance as a determinant of physical ability in a Finnish adult population. (in Finnish, English summary). Publication AL 23, Finnish Social Insurance Institution, Turku, pp 1–148
Montoye HJ, Lamphier DE (1977) Grip and arm strength in males and females, age 10–69. Res Q 48:109–120
Murray MP, Duthie EH, Gamberts SR, Sepic SB, Mollinger LA (1985) Age related differences in knee muscle strength in normal women. J Gerontol 40:275–280
Nygård CH (1988) Work and musculoskeletal capacity. A field and laboratory study of 44- to 62-year-old women and men. Publications of the University of Kuopio. Original reports 17/1988). University of Kuopio, Kuopio, pp 1–92
Nygård CH, Luopajärvi T, Suurnäkki T, Ilmarinen J (1988) Muscle strength and muscle endurance in middle-aged women and men associated to type, duration and intensity of muscular load at work. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 60:291–297
Nygård CH, Luopajärvi T, Ilmarinen J (1991) Musculoskeletal capacity and its changes among aging municipal employees in different work categories. Scand J Environ Health 17 [Suppl 1]:110–117
Patrick JM, Bassey EJ, Fentem PH (1982) Changes in body fat and muscle in manual workers after retirement. Eur J Appl Physiol 49:187–196
Pèrusse L, Lortie G, Lebland C, Termblay A, Thèriault G, Bouchand C (1987) Genetic and environmental sources of variation in physical fitness. Ann Hum Biol 14:425–434
Rikli R, Busch S (1986) Motor performance of women as a function of age and physical activity level. J Gerontol 41:645–649
Suominen H (1978) Effects of physical training on middle-aged and elderly people with special regard to skeletal muscle, connective tissue and functional aging. Studies in Sport, Physical Education and Health 11, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, pp 1–40
Townsend P, Davidson N (1983) Inequalities in health. Penguin, Harmondsworth
Viitasalo J, Viljamaa K, Komi PV (1977) Dynamometers for measurements of isometric trunk and leg forces. Research reports from the Department of Biology of Physical Activity 22, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä
Viitasalo J, Era P, Leskinen AL, Heikkinen E (1985) Muscular strength and anthropometry in random samples of men aged 31–35, 51–55 and 71–75 years. Ergonomics 28:1563–1574
Vuolle P, Telama R, Laakso L (1986) Physical activity in the lifestyle on Finnish adults. Scand J Sport Sci 8:105–115
Wilmore JH (1972) Alterations in strength, body composition and anthropometric measures consequent to a 10-weeks weight training program. Med Sci Sports 6:133–138
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rantanen, T., Parkatti, T. & Heikkinen, E. Muscle strength according to level of physical exercise and educational background in middle-aged women in Finland. Europ. J. Appl. Physiol. 65, 507–512 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00602356
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00602356