Summary
A random sample of 778 subjects representing ages 25, 35, 45 and 55 years were studied for the amount of habitual physical activity, their anthropometric structure, vertical jumping height, trunk extension and flexion torques and dynamic endurance fitness of trunk extension and flexion. The proportion of subjects who were habitually physically active did not change systematically with age. The highest number of physically inactive subjects was found in men and women in the 35-year age group. The results in all the tests used to assess the strength characteristics were statistically significant when related to sex (P<0.001) and in all, except the relative maximal isometric torque of trunk extension, when related to age (P<0.001). Everyday physical activity was related to the variation in vertical jumping height (P<0.001), as well to the dynamic endurance fitness (P<0.001) of trunk extension and flexion. The decline in vertical jumping height and dynamic endurance fitness of trunk extension and flexion fitness was found to start at carlier ages than that of relative maximal isometric trunk extension and flexion torques. Dynamic endurance fitness of trunk flexion showed a more pronounced decline with age than trunk extension fitness.
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Viljanen, T., Viitasalo, J.T. & Kujala, U.M. Strength characteristics of a healthy urban adult population. Europ. J. Appl. Physiol. 63, 43–47 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00760799
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00760799