To determine the extent that muscle mass is predictive of muscle strength in the elderly, anthropomorphic estimates of muscle area and impedance measurements of muscle mass and peak isometric muscle strength were obtained in a relatively healthy older population over 65 years of age (mean age = 71.7; n = 218). Midarm muscle area correlated strongly with upper arm strength (r = 0.68, P less than 0.0001) while midthigh muscle area had a much lower correlation with thigh muscle strength (r = 0.29, P less than 0.0001). These muscle area calculations also include bone area. Lean body mass calculated by bioelectric impedance correlated highly with cumulative muscle strength measured by summing all muscle groups (r = 0.79, P less than 0.0001). To determine whether aging alters muscle strength per unit of muscle mass, additional middle-aged subjects were included, and three groups, middle-aged (55-64) (n = 78), young-old (65-74) (n = 161), and old-old (75+) (n = 57), were compared. A significant age-related trend of decreasing muscle strength per unit of lean body mass was noted. It is concluded that although muscle mass correlates with muscle strength in a healthy older population, use of simple age-independent clinical measurements of body mass should not be used to predict muscle strength.

Hand-held dynamometry for strength measurement correlates strongly with measurement of strength using isokinetic dynamometry. Despite these high correlations, there is remaining variability of hand-held muscle strength readings when compared with isokinetic strength measurement at some levels of isokinetic muscle strength. Modification of the testing methodology or instrumentation used in this study is needed to improve the consistency of these measurements.

These data indicate that level of physical exercise, over the range of 0 to 1,528 Kcal/day, does not predict body adiposity in the healthy elderly population. To decrease body fat without a change in dietary habits would require a more intensive exercise regimen than currently being undertaken by most healthy elderly people.

Objective. To determine the degree of loss of shoulder flexion in patients with osteoporosis, and to determine whether this was correlated with functional disability and pain as measured by the modified Health Assessment Questionnaire. Methods. Two different exercise regimens, one using traditional extension exercises of the spine (group A) and the other using both the extension exercises and exercises to stretch and strengthen scapular musculature (group B), were compared to determine their effects on range of motion, pain, and disability in 33 women with osteoporosis. Results. A significant improvement in shoulder flexion occurred in both exercise groups compared to controls; however, there were no statistically significant differences either within or between exercise groups from baseline to study end. A decrease in pain correlated with an increase in shoulder flexion in group A (r = 0.56), while an improvement in functional disability scores correlated with an increase in shoulder flexion in group B (r = 0.46). Conclusion. Traditional spinal exercises along with exercises that target scapular mobility help to improve shoulder flexion, pain, and function in women with osteoporosis.