National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Senior Fitness Specialist (SFS) Practice Test

Muscle strength and power are best maintained in older adults who are elite athletes due to their lifetime of training and physical activity. Elite athletes typically engage in structured strength training, maintain higher levels of physical fitness, and often possess better neuromuscular efficiency compared to other groups. This consistent training not only helps preserve muscle mass but also enhances the ability to generate power, which diminishes at a slower rate in this population compared to those who are sedentary or have less athletic backgrounds.

In contrast to elite athletes, older adults who are sedentary tend to experience a more rapid decline in muscle strength and power due to inactivity. Recreational athletes may have some advantages over sedentary individuals but generally do not maintain the same intensity or volume of training as elite athletes, leading to steeper declines as they age. Furthermore, older adults with chronic conditions often face limitations that impact their ability to train effectively, exacerbating any losses in strength and power. Therefore, elite athletes stand out as the group with the best-maintained muscle strength and power into older adulthood.