title: Age-related changes in orofacial force generation in women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to assess the effect of age on orofacial force generation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty women participated in a cross-sectional design, with 10 in each age group from 20 to 39, 40 to 59, 60 to 79, and 80 to 100 years of age.
  
  
  METHODS
  Measures of force generation were obtained for the upper lip, lower lip, tongue, and jaw.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no statistical differences among age groups, probably because of large individual variability within groups. Trends indicated a decline, particularly after age 80 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although trends in the data suggest some decline in the function of orofacial structures with age, it is unlikely that these changes would noticeably affect functional communication.
authors.affiliation: Galveston Institute of Human Communication at The Transitional Learning Community, Texas 77553, USA.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: McHenry
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Minton
authors.forename: L L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Hartley
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Calhoun
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Barlow
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001284:Atrophy; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology*