TY - JOUR
T1 - Multiple joint muscle function with ageing
T2 - The force-velocity and power-velocity relationships in young and older men
AU - Allison, Sarah J.
AU - Brooke-Wavell, Katherine
AU - Folland, Jonathan P.
PY - 2013/5
Y1 - 2013/5
N2 - Background and aims: Whilst extensive research has detailed the loss of muscle strength with ageing for isolated single joint actions, there has been little attention to power production during more functionally relevant multiple joint movements. The extent to which force or velocity are responsible for the loss in power with ageing is also equivocal. The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of force and velocity to the differences in power with age by comparing the force-velocity and power-velocity relationships in young and older men during a multiple joint leg press movement. Methods: Twenty-one older men (66 ± 3 years) and twenty-three young men (24 ± 2 years) completed a series of isometric (maximum and explosive) and dynamic contractions on a leg press dynamometer instrumented to record force and displacement. Results: The force-velocity relationship was lower for the older men as reflected by their 19 % lower maximum isometric strength (p < 0.001). Explosive isometric strength (peak rate of force development) was 21 % lower for the older men (p < 0.05) but was similar between groups when normalised to maximum strength (p = 0.58). The power-velocity relationship was lower for the older men as shown by reduced maximum power (-28 %, p < 0.001) and lower force (-20 %, p < 0.001) and velocity (-11 %, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Whilst force and velocity were lower in older men, the decrement in force was greater and therefore the major explanation for the attenuation of power during a functionally relevant multiple joint movement.
AB - Background and aims: Whilst extensive research has detailed the loss of muscle strength with ageing for isolated single joint actions, there has been little attention to power production during more functionally relevant multiple joint movements. The extent to which force or velocity are responsible for the loss in power with ageing is also equivocal. The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of force and velocity to the differences in power with age by comparing the force-velocity and power-velocity relationships in young and older men during a multiple joint leg press movement. Methods: Twenty-one older men (66 ± 3 years) and twenty-three young men (24 ± 2 years) completed a series of isometric (maximum and explosive) and dynamic contractions on a leg press dynamometer instrumented to record force and displacement. Results: The force-velocity relationship was lower for the older men as reflected by their 19 % lower maximum isometric strength (p < 0.001). Explosive isometric strength (peak rate of force development) was 21 % lower for the older men (p < 0.05) but was similar between groups when normalised to maximum strength (p = 0.58). The power-velocity relationship was lower for the older men as shown by reduced maximum power (-28 %, p < 0.001) and lower force (-20 %, p < 0.001) and velocity (-11 %, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Whilst force and velocity were lower in older men, the decrement in force was greater and therefore the major explanation for the attenuation of power during a functionally relevant multiple joint movement.
KW - Aged
KW - Explosive strength
KW - Male
KW - Maximum power
KW - Muscles
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84886651740&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s40520-013-0024-y
DO - 10.1007/s40520-013-0024-y
M3 - Article
C2 - 23739901
AN - SCOPUS:84886651740
SN - 1594-0667
VL - 25
SP - 159
EP - 166
JO - Aging clinical and experimental research
JF - Aging clinical and experimental research
IS - 2
ER -