Muscle strength in boys of different ages

Isometric twitch contractions have been studied in extensor hallucis brevis muscles of 32 healthy male subjects aged between 3 and 25 years. The maximum twitch tensions were found to increase gradually with age and then to undergo marked enhancement at puberty. After puberty little further change occurred. In the youngest children examined the twitch contraction times were already within the adult range, though the half-relaxation times were prolonged.