Age and secular effects on muscular strength of indigenous rural adults in Oaxaca, Southern Mexico: 1978-2000.

Purpose: To evaluate age and secular changes in strength of rural Zapotec adults in Oaxaca between 1978 and 2000.

Methods: Grip strength, height and weight were measured in 1978 (n = 247, 19-82 years) and 2000 (n = 407, 19-89 years); 35 males and 52 females were measured in both years. MANCOVA was used for comparisons by age and year.