Alpha-sarcoglycan-deficient (Sgca-null) mice provide potential for elucidating the pathogenesis of limb girdle muscular dystrophy type 2D (LGMD-2D) as well as for studying the effectiveness of therapeutic strategies. Skeletal muscles of Sgca-null mice demonstrate an early onset of extensive fiber necrosis, degeneration, and regeneration, but the progression of the pathology and the effects on muscle structure and function throughout the life span are not known. Thus, the phenotypic accuracy of the Sgca-null mouse as a model of LGMD-2D has not been fully established. To investigate skeletal muscle structure and function in the absence of -sarcoglycan throughout the life span, we analyzed extensor digitorum longus and soleus muscles of male and female Sgca-null and wild type mice at 3-, 6-, 12- and 18-months of age. Maximum isometric forces and powers were measured in vitro at 25°C. Also determined were individual myofiber cross-sectional areas and numbers, water content, and the proportion of the cross section occupied by connective tissue. Muscle masses were 40-100% larger for Sgca-null compared with age- and gender-matched wild type mice, with the majority of the increased muscle mass for Sgca-null mice attributable to greater connective tissue and water contents. Although the greater mass of muscles in Sgca-null mice was primarily non-contractile material, absolute forces and powers were maintained near control levels at all ages indicating a successful adaptation to the deficiency in -sarcogly can not observed at any age in LGMD-2D patients.