The aim of the present study was to ascertain if in six young (23-35 years) and in six older (70-72 years) healthy men matched for comparable absolute and specific maximal force of the dominant elbow flexors, differences in isometric endurance, myoelectrical fatigability, and shortening velocity are still recognizable. To assess the specific force, the muscle cross sectional area (CSA) was determined from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. The performance of the elbow flexors was studied by assessing the isometric endurance times (ET) at different percentages of maximal isometric contraction (MVC), the average muscle fibre conduction velocity of action potentials (CV), and the median frequency (MDF) of the surface electromyogram (sEMG) of the biceps brachii. Finally, the torque-velocity curve was assessed by means of maximal isokinetic contractions at six fixed angular velocities. All data were expressed as the mean (SD). The results showed that: (1) the ET was longer in the older subjects at the highest levels of isometric contraction, independently from the absolute force; (2) the modifications of muscle fibre CV during isometric effort progressed less rapidly in the older than the younger groups, as did those of MDF; and (3) at the same angular velocity, the older subjects exerted less absolute force than the younger subjects. These results suggest an impairment of the neuromuscular system of older men, which is less powerful and less fatigable than that of young men.

Differences in the force/endurance relationship between young and older men / Ilenia, Bazzucchi; Marchetti, Marco; Alessandro, Rosponi; Fattorini, Luigi; Vincenzo, Castellano; Paola, Sbriccoli; Francesco, Felici. - In: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY. - ISSN 1439-6319. - 93:4(2005), pp. 390-397. [10.1007/s00421-004-1277-0]

Differences in the force/endurance relationship between young and older men

MARCHETTI, Marco;FATTORINI, Luigi;
2005

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to ascertain if in six young (23-35 years) and in six older (70-72 years) healthy men matched for comparable absolute and specific maximal force of the dominant elbow flexors, differences in isometric endurance, myoelectrical fatigability, and shortening velocity are still recognizable. To assess the specific force, the muscle cross sectional area (CSA) was determined from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. The performance of the elbow flexors was studied by assessing the isometric endurance times (ET) at different percentages of maximal isometric contraction (MVC), the average muscle fibre conduction velocity of action potentials (CV), and the median frequency (MDF) of the surface electromyogram (sEMG) of the biceps brachii. Finally, the torque-velocity curve was assessed by means of maximal isokinetic contractions at six fixed angular velocities. All data were expressed as the mean (SD). The results showed that: (1) the ET was longer in the older subjects at the highest levels of isometric contraction, independently from the absolute force; (2) the modifications of muscle fibre CV during isometric effort progressed less rapidly in the older than the younger groups, as did those of MDF; and (3) at the same angular velocity, the older subjects exerted less absolute force than the younger subjects. These results suggest an impairment of the neuromuscular system of older men, which is less powerful and less fatigable than that of young men.
2005
aging; magnetic resonance imaging; mri; muscle fibre conduction velocity; muscle fibres conduction velocity; specific force; surface electromyography; surface emg
01 Pubblicazione su rivista::01a Articolo in rivista
Differences in the force/endurance relationship between young and older men / Ilenia, Bazzucchi; Marchetti, Marco; Alessandro, Rosponi; Fattorini, Luigi; Vincenzo, Castellano; Paola, Sbriccoli; Francesco, Felici. - In: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY. - ISSN 1439-6319. - 93:4(2005), pp. 390-397. [10.1007/s00421-004-1277-0]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/237974
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