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This study examined the relationship between absolute and relative (1 repetition maximum/LBM) strength vs. 13 different functional measurements in 143 older adults (mean = 70.28, standard deviation = 7.90 years). Strength for 11 machine lifts was determined using a predicted 1-repetition maximal strength measurement. Zero-order correlation results between absolute and relative strength vs. function measures demonstrated very weak to moderate correlations in the range of 0.02-0.57 and 0.01-0.44, respectively, with the lowest correlations present between strength and balance measures and the highest correlations present between strength and the carrying task (p [less than or equal to] 0.05). Stepwise multiple regression results also confirmed the low predictability of functional tasks using strength measures, with absolute and relative strength measures accounting for only 3-38% and 3-33% of the various functional measures, respectively. This study identified specific strength measurements that contribute to the variance in a functional task but also clearly indicated that strength alone cannot serve as a predictor of function in older adults. Key Words: elderly, weight training, mobility, ADL

Soleus Hoffman-reflex (H-reflex) gain was compared at the same background level of electromyographic activity across lying, natural standing, and tandem stance postures, in 12 young and 16 elderly adults. When compared to a lying posture, young adults significantly depressed soleus H-reflex gain when in a natural standing (19% decrease) and a tandem stance position (30% decrease; p < .0125 for both positions). For elderly adults, there was no significant decrease in H-reflex gain while standing naturally, but there was a significant 28% decrease when performing tandem stance (p < .0125). The data indicate that, although the mild motor control challenge of natural standing does not induce a decrease in soleus H-reflex gain in the elderly adults, as it does in young adults, in the more difficult task of tandem stance, soleus H-reflex gain is significantly decreased in both young and elderly adults.

Explores the role of biomechanics in the understanding movement characteristics of children. Components of a biomechanical analysis; Kinematic approaches to studying children's movement; Cause and effect phenomena of a movement problem.

Examines the H-reflex size in young and elderly adults of varying physical activity levels. Measurement of H-wave maximum and M-wave maximum ratios; Decrease H-reflexes among elderly group; Effect of age on H-reflexes.

Soleus Hoffmann-reflex (H-reflex) modulation during walking was examined in 7 young and 13 elderly adults. H-reflex size was measured in 16 equal time divisions (phases) of the step cycle. In both the elderly and the young groups, the H reflex was minimal at the time of heel contact, rose to a maximum shortly after midstance, decreased rapidly as toe-off neared, then was minimal during swing. There was a significant interaction between age group and step cycle phase (p [is less than] .05). During midstance of walking, the elderly participants had a smaller H-reflex size during two of the 16 time phases of the step cycle (p [is less than] .05), despite no significant difference in H-reflex size between the age groups while standing. The smaller H-reflex size during the stance phase of walking may reflect changes in central reflex mechanisms that may impact stretch reflex contribution to ankle extensor neural drive and ankle stiffness in elderly persons during walking.

The article presents a study to analyze the effect of a progressive, whole-body, high resistance training program on reported pain in older adults. Ninety-eight participants age 60-83 completed the McGill Pain Questionnaire prior to and after an eight week training period. Findings proposed that eight weeks of progressive, whole-body weight training has a positive impact on perception of pain on older adults.