Rate of force development and rapid muscle activation characteristics of knee extensors in very old men

The age-related decrease in neuromuscular performance is usually accentuated in very old age (>80 yr) as evidenced by a marked reduction in maximal force production. However, little is known about the ability to rapidly produce force, which limits daily activities and increase the risk of falling...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Experimental gerontology 2019-09, Vol.124, p.110640-110640, Article 110640
Main Authors: Varesco, Giorgio, Espeit, Loïc, Feasson, Léonard, Lapole, Thomas, Rozand, Vianney
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aging
Knee extensors
Life Sciences
Neuromuscular performance
Rate of EMG rise
Rate of force development
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Summary:The age-related decrease in neuromuscular performance is usually accentuated in very old age (>80 yr) as evidenced by a marked reduction in maximal force production. However, little is known about the ability to rapidly produce force, which limits daily activities and increase the risk of falling. We aimed to assess rapid force production characteristics and rate of muscle activation of the knee extensors in 15 very old (82 ± 1 yr) vs 12 young (24 ± 4 yr) men. Maximal force (Fmax) and maximal rate of force development (RFDmax) were determined during separated specific isometric contractions. EMG from the vastus lateralis was analyzed to assess the rate of EMG rise (RER). Finally, RFD and RER were examined at time intervals of 0–50, 50–100, 100–200, 0–200 ms and 0–30, 0–50, 0–75 ms, respectively. We reported lower Fmax (414 ± 91 N vs. 661 ± 139 N) and absolute RFDmax (8720 ± 2056 N*s−1vs. 5700 ± 2474 N*s−1) in the very old men compared to young men (P 
ISSN:0531-5565
1873-6815
DOI:10.1016/j.exger.2019.110640