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Muscle function and postural balance in lifelong trained male footballers compared with sedentary elderly men and youngsters.

Authors :
Sundstrup E
Jakobsen MD
Andersen JL
Randers MB
Petersen J
Suetta C
Aagaard P
Krustrup P
Source :
Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports [Scand J Med Sci Sports] 2010 Apr; Vol. 20 Suppl 1, pp. 90-7. Date of Electronic Publication: 2010 Feb 19.
Publication Year :
2010

Abstract

The present study investigated whether elderly subjects exposed to lifelong football training have better rapid muscle force characteristics, body composition and postural stability in comparison with untrained elderly. Ten elderly men exposed to lifelong football training (FTE; 69.6 +/- 1.4 years) and eight age-matched untrained elderly men (UE; 70.5 +/- 1.0 years) were studied and 49 untrained young men (UY; 32.4 +/- 0.9 years) served as a reference group. FTE showed an elevated rate of force development (RFD) and impulse at 0-30, 100 and 200 ms (relative RFD at 1/6 MVC: 567 +/- 39 vs 353 +/- 42% MVC/s), higher total lean body mass (56.9 +/- 0.8 vs 52.7 +/- 2.2 kg) and better postural stability (Flamingo test: 15 +/- 1 vs 33 +/- 2 falls) compared with UE (P<0.05), with no difference between FTE and UY. The proportion of type IIA fibers was higher and the area percentage of type IIX fibers was lower in FTE than in UE (P<0.05). Rapid muscle force characteristics and postural stability were consistently higher in elderly subjects exposed to lifelong football training, providing an enhanced ability to counteract unexpected perturbations in postural balance. The superior RFD and balance in elderly footballers were of such a magnitude that no deficit could be observed when compared with young untrained individuals.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1600-0838
Volume :
20 Suppl 1
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
20210903
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2010.01092.x