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Functional and morphological adaptations to aging in knee extensor muscles of physically active men.
- Source :
-
Journal of applied biomechanics [J Appl Biomech] 2013 Oct; Vol. 29 (5), pp. 535-42. Date of Electronic Publication: 2012 Nov 21. - Publication Year :
- 2013
-
Abstract
- It is not known if a physically active lifestyle, without systematic training, is sufficient to combat age-related muscle and strength loss. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate if the maintenance of a physically active lifestyle prevents muscle impairments due to aging. To address this issue, we evaluated 33 healthy men with similar physical activity levels (IPAQ = 2) across a large range of ages. Functional (torque-angle and torque-velocity relations) and morphological (vastus lateralis muscle architecture) properties of the knee extensor muscles were assessed and compared between three age groups: young adults (30 ± 6 y), middle-aged subjects (50 ± 7 y) and elderly subjects (69 ± 5 y). Isometric peak torques were significantly lower (30% to 36%) in elderly group subjects compared with the young adults. Concentric peak torques were significantly lower in the middle aged (18% to 32%) and elderly group (40% to 53%) compared with the young adults. Vastus lateralis thickness and fascicles lengths were significantly smaller in the elderly group subjects (15.8 ± 3.9 mm; 99.1 ± 25.8 mm) compared with the young adults (19.8 ± 3.6 mm; 152.1 ± 42.0 mm). These findings suggest that a physically active lifestyle, without systematic training, is not sufficient to avoid loss of strength and muscle mass with aging.
- Subjects :
- Adaptation, Physiological physiology
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Organ Size physiology
Aging physiology
Knee Joint anatomy & histology
Knee Joint physiology
Motor Activity physiology
Muscle Strength physiology
Muscle, Skeletal anatomy & histology
Muscle, Skeletal physiology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1543-2688
- Volume :
- 29
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Journal of applied biomechanics
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 23182830
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1123/jab.29.5.535