Medical Journal of the Islamic Republic Of Iran

en Changes in the muscle strength and functional performance of healthy women with aging Physical Medecine& Rehabilitaion Physical Medecine& Rehabilitaion Original Research Original Research Background: Lower limbs antigravity muscles weakness and decreased functional ability have significant role in falling. The aim of this study was to find the effects of aging on muscle strength and functional ability, determining the range of decreasing strength and functional ability and relationship between them in healthy women. Methods: Across-section study was performed on 101 healthy women aged 21-80 years. The participants were divided into six age groups. The maximum isometric strength of four muscle groups was measured using a hand-held dynamometer bilaterally. The functional ability was measured with functional reach (FR), timed get up and go (TGUG), single leg stance (SLS), and stairs walking (SW) tests. Results: Muscle strength changes were not significant between 21-40 years of age, but decreased significantly thereafter. Also, there was a significant relationship between muscle strength and functional ability in age groups. Conclusion: Both muscle strength and functional ability is reduced as a result of aging, but the decrease in functional ability can be detected earlier. Aging, Dynamometer, Functional performance, Muscle strength. 125 131 http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-1-317&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Mohammad Akbari akbari_mo@tums.ac.ir 20031947532846007460 20031947532846007460 Yes Department of Physical Therapy, School of Rehabilitation, TehranUniversity of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Roghayeh Mousavikhatir rmosavi_pt@yahoo.com 20031947532846007461 20031947532846007461 No Department of Physical Therapy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.