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Influence of age on concentric isokinetic torque and passive extensibility variables of the calf muscles of women

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of age on concentric isokinetic torque (CIT) and passive extensibility (PE) variables of the calf muscles of healthy women. Ten younger women [31.9 (SD 6.1) years] and ten older women [71.1 (SD 6.6) years] were tested using a KIN-COM 500H dynamometer. The PE was tested by stretching the muscles from relaxed plantarflexion to the maximal dorsiflexion (DF) angle at 5°·s−1 without raw electromyogram (EMG) activity exceeding 0.05 mV. The maximal CIT was tested from the maximal DF angle 60° into plantarflexion at four randomly ordered velocities of 30, 60, 120, and 180°·s−1. Separate analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests showed that the standardized (% body mass) concentric peak and mean torques were lower for the older women for all isokinetic velocities (p < 0.001). The “angular delay” from the onset of concentric activation to peak torque was smaller for the older women at 120 and 180°·s−1 (p < 0.05). Age showed negative relationships (Pearson r) with all standardized peak torques (p ⩽ 0.001) and mean torques (p < 0.001), and the “angular delay” at 120 and 180°·s−1 (p ⩽ 0.05). Independent t-tests showed that the maximal DF angle and the change in the PE angle from an initial angle (defined at 10% of the maximal passive torque) to the maximal DF angle were less for the older women (p < 0.05). Age was negatively related to the maximal DF angle and the change in the PE angle (p < 0.01). The results suggest an age-related decrease in calf muscle CIT, muscle length and PE. The smaller “angular delay” for the older women at 120 and 180°·s−1 indicates that CIT testing at rapid velocities can be used to examine age-related changes in calf muscle contractile properties in relation to rapid velocities of movement.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Motor Control Research Laboratory, Physical Therapy Department, The University of Montana, 59812, Missoula, MT, USA

    Richard L. Gajdosik & Ann K. Williams

  2. Physical Therapy Department, Eastern Washington University, Mail Stop 4, 99004, Cheney, WA, USA

    Darl W. Vander Linden

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  1. Richard L. Gajdosik
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  2. Darl W. Vander Linden
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  3. Ann K. Williams
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Gajdosik, R.L., Vander Linden, D.W. & Williams, A.K. Influence of age on concentric isokinetic torque and passive extensibility variables of the calf muscles of women. Europ. J. Appl. Physiol. 74, 279–286 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00377451

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