Is co-contraction responsible for the decline in maximal knee joint torque in older males?

• Published in: AGE 2014-04, Vol.36 (2), p.899-910
• Main Authors: Billot, Maxime, Duclay, Julien, Simoneau-Buessinger, Emilie M., Ballay, Yves, Martin, Alain
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Age; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Aging - physiology; Biomechanical Phenomena; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Cell Biology; Electrodes; Electromyography; Geriatrics/Gerontology; Gerontology; Healthy Volunteers; Humans; Isometric Contraction - physiology; Joints; Knee; Knee Joint - physiology; Life Sciences; Male; Medical research; Mens health; Middle Aged; Molecular Medicine; Older people; Quadriceps Muscle - physiology; Statistical analysis; Studies; Torque; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0161-9152; 2509-2715; 1574-4647; 2509-2723
• DOI: 10.1007/s11357-014-9616-5

While it is often reported that muscular coactivation increases with age, the mechanical impact of antagonist muscles, i.e., the antagonist torque, remains to be assessed. The aim of this study was to determine if the mechanical impact of the antagonist muscles may contribute to the age-related decline in the resultant torque during maximal voluntary contraction in knee flexion (KF) and knee extension (KE). Eight young (19–28 years old) and eight older (62–81 years old) healthy males participated in neuromuscular testing. Maximal resultant torque was simultaneously recorded with the electromyographic activity of quadriceps and hamstring muscles. The torque recorded in the antagonist muscles was estimated using a biofeedback technique. Resultant torques significantly decreased with age in both KF (−41 %, p