Gender differences in human muscle and joint mechanical properties during plantar flexion in old age
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Muscle and joint mechanical properties during plantar flexion were investigated in 13 elderly women (EW) (age range 73-83 years) and 15 elderly men (EM) (age range 74-81 years). Maximal torque, at several angular velocities, was measured to construct torque-velocity relationship. This led to the calculation of an index of maximal shortening velocity (VImax) at 10% of maximal isometric torque. Two methods were then used to calculate musculotendinous (quick-release movements) and musculoarticular (sinusoidal perturbations) stiffness. In both cases, stiffness was linearly related to torque, and the slope was defined as a stiffness index (SI): SIMT and SIMA, respectively. Maximal torques as well as VImax (p < .05) were lower in EW compared with EM. Furthermore, SIMT and SIMA values were higher for EW than for EM (p < .05). These results are interpreted in terms of possible differences in the muscle mass, fiber-type distribution, and tendons. They may also have implications for daily motor behavior.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Journals of Gerontology - Series A Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences |
Volume | 59 |
Issue number | 5 |
Pages (from-to) | 441-448 |
Number of pages | 8 |
ISSN | 1079-5006 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - May 2004 |
ID: 245666007