Contractile and elastic ankle joint muscular properties in young and older adults.

The purpose of this study was to investigate age-related differences in contractile and elastic properties of both dorsi- (DF) and plantarflexor (PF) muscles controlling the ankle joint in young and older adults. Experimental data were collected while twelve young and twelve older male and female pa...

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Main Authors: Christopher J Hasson, Ross H Miller, Graham E Caldwell
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2011-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3019216?pdf=render
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author Christopher J Hasson
Ross H Miller
Graham E Caldwell
author_facet Christopher J Hasson
Ross H Miller
Graham E Caldwell
author_sort Christopher J Hasson
collection DOAJ
description The purpose of this study was to investigate age-related differences in contractile and elastic properties of both dorsi- (DF) and plantarflexor (PF) muscles controlling the ankle joint in young and older adults. Experimental data were collected while twelve young and twelve older male and female participants performed maximal effort isometric and isovelocity contractions on a dynamometer. Equations were fit to the data to give torque-angle (Tθ) and torque-angular velocity (Tω) relations. Muscle series-elasticity was measured during ramped dynamometer contractions using ultrasonography to measure aponeurosis extension as a function of torque; second order polynomials were used to characterize the torque-extension (TΔL) relation. The results showed no age differences in DF maximal torque and none for female PF; however, older males had smaller maximal PF torques compared to young males. In both muscle groups and genders, older adults had decreased concentric force capabilities. Both DF and PF TΔL relations were more nonlinear in the older adults. Older PF, but not DF muscles, were stiffer compared to young. A simple antagonism model suggested age-related differences in Tθ and Tω relations would be magnified if antagonistic torque contributions were included. This assessment of static, dynamic, and elastic joint properties affords a comprehensive view of age-related modifications in muscle function. Although many clinical studies use maximal isometric strength as a marker of functional ability, the results demonstrate that there are also significant age-related modifications in ankle muscle dynamic and elastic properties.
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spelling doaj.art-71ac296eb5ed4c2db52445e5d41b0c752022-12-22T01:09:17ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032011-01-0161e1595310.1371/journal.pone.0015953Contractile and elastic ankle joint muscular properties in young and older adults.Christopher J HassonRoss H MillerGraham E CaldwellThe purpose of this study was to investigate age-related differences in contractile and elastic properties of both dorsi- (DF) and plantarflexor (PF) muscles controlling the ankle joint in young and older adults. Experimental data were collected while twelve young and twelve older male and female participants performed maximal effort isometric and isovelocity contractions on a dynamometer. Equations were fit to the data to give torque-angle (Tθ) and torque-angular velocity (Tω) relations. Muscle series-elasticity was measured during ramped dynamometer contractions using ultrasonography to measure aponeurosis extension as a function of torque; second order polynomials were used to characterize the torque-extension (TΔL) relation. The results showed no age differences in DF maximal torque and none for female PF; however, older males had smaller maximal PF torques compared to young males. In both muscle groups and genders, older adults had decreased concentric force capabilities. Both DF and PF TΔL relations were more nonlinear in the older adults. Older PF, but not DF muscles, were stiffer compared to young. A simple antagonism model suggested age-related differences in Tθ and Tω relations would be magnified if antagonistic torque contributions were included. This assessment of static, dynamic, and elastic joint properties affords a comprehensive view of age-related modifications in muscle function. Although many clinical studies use maximal isometric strength as a marker of functional ability, the results demonstrate that there are also significant age-related modifications in ankle muscle dynamic and elastic properties.http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3019216?pdf=render
spellingShingle Christopher J Hasson
Ross H Miller
Graham E Caldwell
Contractile and elastic ankle joint muscular properties in young and older adults.
PLoS ONE
title Contractile and elastic ankle joint muscular properties in young and older adults.
title_full Contractile and elastic ankle joint muscular properties in young and older adults.
title_fullStr Contractile and elastic ankle joint muscular properties in young and older adults.
title_full_unstemmed Contractile and elastic ankle joint muscular properties in young and older adults.
title_short Contractile and elastic ankle joint muscular properties in young and older adults.
title_sort contractile and elastic ankle joint muscular properties in young and older adults
url http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3019216?pdf=render
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AT rosshmiller contractileandelasticanklejointmuscularpropertiesinyoungandolderadults
AT grahamecaldwell contractileandelasticanklejointmuscularpropertiesinyoungandolderadults