Changes in mechanical properties of human plantar flexor muscles in ageing

Changes in contractile and elastic properties of human plantar flexor muscles in ageing, were investigated in 12 young (19–24 years, YG) and 11 old (61–74 year, OG) men. Maximal isometric and concentric voluntary torques, at several angular velocities, were measured to construct torque-angular veloc...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Experimental gerontology 2004-03, Vol.39 (3), p.349-358
Main Authors: Ochala, Julien, Lambertz, Daniel, Pousson, Michel, Goubel, Francis, Hoecke, Jacques Van
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Ageing
Aging - physiology
Ankle Joint - physiology
Contractility
Elasticity
Electromyography
Humans
Joint stiffness
Male
Middle Aged
Muscle Contraction - physiology
Muscle, Skeletal - physiology
Musculotendinous stiffness
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Changes in contractile and elastic properties of human plantar flexor muscles in ageing, were investigated in 12 young (19–24 years, YG) and 11 old (61–74 year, OG) men. Maximal isometric and concentric voluntary torques, at several angular velocities, were measured to construct torque-angular velocity relationship. This led to the calculation of an index of maximal shorting velocity ( VI max) at low torque. Two methods were then used to calculate musculotendinous (MT, quick-release movements) and musculoarticular (MA, sinusoidal perturbations) stiffness. In both cases, stiffness was linearly related to torque, leading to the calculation of a stiffness index (SI) as the slope of the stiffness-torque relationship: SI MT and SI MA, respectively. MA stiffness under passive conditions ( K p) was also determined. Surface electromyograms were useful to control agonist and antagonist myoelectrical activities. As expected, maximal isometric ( P
ISSN:0531-5565
1873-6815
DOI:10.1016/j.exger.2003.11.004