The contribution of age and sex hormones to female neuromuscular function across the adult lifespan.

ABSTRACT: Neuromuscular ageing is characterized by neural and/or skeletal muscle degeneration that decreases maximal force and power. Female neuromuscular ageing occurs earlier in life compared to males, potentially due to sex hormone changes during the menopausal transition. We quantified neuromuscular function in 88 females represented equally over each decade from 18 to 80 years of age and investigated the role of decreased ovarian hormone concentrations following menopause. Neuromuscular assessment included quadriceps maximal voluntary and evoked isometric torque and surface electromyography measurements, plus one-repetition maximum leg press. Voluntary and evoked torques and one-repetition maximum decreased non-linearly with age, with accelerated reductions starting during the fourth decade. An

SUBMITTER: O'Bryan SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12810223 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature