Chronic exercise and skeletal muscle power in older men.

We sought to determine the effects of age and chronic exercise on muscle power in older males. We examined 32 older males 60-74 years of age and grouped as sedentary (CON, n = 11), chronic endurance trained (ET, n = 10), and chronic endurance trained + resistance training (ET + RT, n = 11). Exercise history was obtained by questionnaire. Absolute strength and power measures were obtained by the one-repetition maximum method. Relative strength and power were determined by dividing the absolute measure by the muscle mass involved in the exercise. Total and regional muscle mass was measured by DXA. Absolute and relative leg power were not significantly different among the 3 groups. In contrast, absolute leg press strength was greater in ET + RT compared with CON, and relative leg press strength was greater in ET and ET + RT compared with CON. Chronic running combined with resistance training may therefore enhance absolute and relative muscle strength in older adults, but does not influence muscle power. Endurance exercise may inhibit the ability of resistance exercise to positively influence skeletal muscle power.