Human Power Output in Exercise of Short Duration in Relation to Body Size and Composition

Abstract

Maximum power output during the performance of a standing jump of two feet from a force platform and stair climbing has been studied in 47 male subjects aged 20-50 years and 8 female subjects aged 18-27 years in relation to body composition. During the standing jump, power output mean values of 5·23 hp for men and 3·15 hp for women wore recorded. These figures are amongst the highest over recorded in man; they ore some four times higher than the corresponding values for the stair climb and fifteen times those achieved during maximum aerobic work on a stationary bicycle ergometer.

Maximum power output in the two forms of activity were dependent on ago and sex, size, stature and, to a lesser extent, body composition of the subject. In young men and women the power output values were related to estimates (from soft tissue radiographs) of thigh muscle and loan body mass. However, in older subjects these relationships disappeared. Power output values during stair climbing could be accounted for in terms of known body stores of (chemical) energy. However, it was suggested that an explanation of the high values of power output on the force platform must involve the storage of energy within the muscle during the initial stages of the jump which is later available for the performance of useful work.