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J Appl Physiol 100: 2048-2056, 2006. First published February 2, 2006; doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.01442.2005
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Calf muscle-tendon properties and postural balance in old age

Gladys L. Onambele, Marco V. Narici, and Constantinos N. Maganaris

Institute for Biophysical and Clinical Research into Human Movement, Manchester Metropolitan University, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom

Submitted 15 November 2005 ; accepted in final form 1 February 2006

We tested the hypothesis that compromised postural balance in older subjects is associated with changes in calf muscle-tendon physiological and mechanical properties. Trial duration and center of pressure (COP) displacements were measured in 24 younger (aged 24 ± 1 yr), 10 middle-aged (aged 46 ± 1 yr), and 36 older (aged 68 ± 1 yr) healthy subjects under varying levels of postural difficulty. Muscle-tendon characteristics were assessed by dynamometry, twitch superimposition, and ultrasonography. In tandem and single-leg stances, trial duration decreased (≤65% lower, P < 0.001) and COP displacements increased (≤90% higher, P < 0.05) with age. Muscle strength, size, activation capacity, and tendon mechanical properties decreased with age by 55, 13, 13, and 36–48%, respectively (P < 0.05). Regressions with these parameters and balance indexes were significant (P < 0.05) for single-leg and tandem (0.69 < r2 < 0.90) postures only, indicating that the age-related changes in muscle-tendon characteristics may explain the majority of the variance in balance performance during tasks more difficult than habitual bipedal stance.

ageing; center of pressure displacement; in vivo muscle-tendon mechanical properties; postural balance; trial duration


Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: G. L. Onambélé Pearson, Institute for Biophysical and Clinical Research into Human Movement, Manchester Metropolitan Univ., Hassall Rd., Stoke-on-Trent, ST7 2HL UK (e-mail: g.pearson{at}mmu.ac.uk)




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