INTRODUCTION: decrease in explosive strength and muscular power of lower limbs (LL) has been related to functional loss in the elderly; however, the influence of aging on these variables considering multiarticular movements are not well reported. PURPOSE: 1) to compare the explosive strength and power of LL in women between 50 and 79 years old, having the 18 year-old values as reference; 2) to study the relationship between these variables with functional capacity. METHODS: 227 non-sedentary women were evaluated and divided into 3 groups: 50-59, 60-69 and 70-79 years old. The height of countermovement jump without movement arms (ES) was used as explosive strength index and normal walking velocity (VEL), time to stand from a chair (CHA) and static balance (SB) were used for functional capacity. Power (PO) was estimated by the jump height. The 18 year-old values were used as reference. RESULTS: lower values (p < 0.05) in ES and PO were observed in the three groups when compared to reference, being those variables lower in 70-79 years (p < 0.05). Only 70-79 years group showed lower value (p < 0.05) in VEL and SB. Compared to PO, the change in ES was significantly higher in all groups (p < 0.05). Except for CHA in 50-59 and 70-79 years old groups, the ES showed higher association with the functional capacity than PO. CONCLUSION: The ES and PO showed changes when compared with the 18 year-old values, but PO did not change between the groups. However, ES showed higher correlation with functional capacity.
normal walking velocity; stand from a chair; balance
