Training can improve muscle strength and endurance in 78- to 84-yr-old men

strength and endurance in 78- to 84-yr-old men. LL Appl. Physiol. 73(6): 2517-2523, 1992.--Nine men, 78-84 yr of age, partici-pated in a dynamometer training program 2-3 times/wk, total-ing 25 sessions, using voluntary maximal isometric, concentric, and eccentric right knee-extension actions (30 and lW/s). Measurements of muscle strength with a Kin-Corn dynamome-ter and simultaneous electromyograms (EMG) were performed of both sides before and after the training period. Muscle biop-sies were taken from the right vastus lateralis muscle. The total quadriceps cross-sectional area was measured with computer-ized tomography. Training led to an increase in maximal torque for concentric (10 % at 30*/s) and eccentric (13-19%) actions in the trained leg. The EMG activity increased at maxi-mal eccentric activities. The total cross-sectional quadriceps area of the trained leg increased by 3%, but no changes wer