A Comparison of Force and Power Generated in Countermovement Jump between Young and Elderly Subjects
Year: 2008
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The ageing process in humans is marked by significant decreases in physical performance. The purpose of this study was to compare the parameters derived from a time series of the ground reaction force in a countermovement jump between young and elderly Japanese subjects. We recruited 6 healthy elderly subjects (aged 65-72 years) and 6 healthy university students (aged 20-21 years) in this study and subjected them to a jump test. The force, velocity, height of the center of mass (COM), stored energy, and power were compared between the 2 groups. The maximum velocity, height of the COM, normalized stored energy, and normalized peak power were significantly lower in the elderly subjects than in the young subjects (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the normalized peak force between these groups. In order to improve the performance of the elderly population, it appears necessary to focus not only on force but also on power. Thus, it is important to teach the elderly population the efficient utilization of energy-storing mechanisms.
Language: English
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W654507561