37th Annual Student Research Conference
Evaluation of Upper-Body Strength Performance with Specific Muscle Quality Indices in College Men and Women
Shelby T. Skinner* and Addison L. Walker
Dr. Jerry Mayhew and Prof. Liz Jorn, Faculty Mentors
Muscle quality indices (MQI) have been suggested as a means for equitable comparison of muscle strength between the sexes based on amount of muscle mass. The purpose of this study was to compare upper-body dynamic strength between men (n=157) and women (n=148) based on differences in MQI in each sex. Strength was assessed using a one-repetition maximum bench press (1RM). Total muscle mass was expressed as FFMI (FFM/Ht2) while specific muscle mass was limited to upper-arm cross-sectional area (CSA). A mixed-model repeated-measure ANOVA indicated various methods of MQIs were significantly different among methods and between sexes. Correlations between MQI and strength were significantly greater in men (r=0.86) than in women (r=0.73). Correlations between CSA and total strength were also significantly greater in men (r=0.78) than in women (r=0.47). Expressing upper-body strength relative to FFMI is a better method than regional CSA for evaluating strength levels when comparing men and women.
Keywords: MQI, BMI, sex difference
Topic(s):Exercise Science
Presentation Type: Poster Presentation
Session: 2-3
Location: SUB Activities Room
Time: 3:15