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J Appl Physiol 96: 885-892, 2004. First published October 24, 2003; doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00688.2003
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Effect of resistance training on skeletal muscle-specific force in elderly humans

N. D. Reeves, M. V. Narici, and C. N. Maganaris

Institute for Biophysical and Clinical Research into Human Movement, Manchester Metropolitan University, Cheshire ST7 2HL, United Kingdom

Submitted 3 July 2003 ; accepted in final form 21 October 2003

This study assessed muscle-specific force in vivo following strength training in old age. Subjects were assigned to training (n = 9, age 74.3 ± 3.5 yr; mean ± SD) and control (n = 9, age 67.1 ± 2 yr) groups. Leg-extension and leg-press exercises (2 sets of 10 repetitions at 80% of the 5 repetition maximum) were performed three times/wk for 14 wk. Vastus lateralis (VL) muscle fascicle force was calculated from maximal isometric voluntary knee extensor torque with superimposed stimuli, accounting for the patella tendon moment arm length, ultrasound-based measurements of muscle architecture, and antagonist cocontraction estimated from electromyographic activity. Physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA) was calculated from the ratio of muscle volume to fascicle length. Specific force was calculated by dividing fascicle force by PCSA. Fascicle force increased by 11%, from 847.9 ± 365.3 N before to 939.3 ± 347.8 N after training (P < 0.05). Due to a relatively greater increase in fascicle length (11%) than muscle volume (6%), PCSA remained unchanged (pretraining: 30.4 ± 8.9 cm2; posttraining: 29.1 ± 8.4 cm2; P > 0.05). Activation capacity and VL muscle root mean square electromyographic activity increased by 5 and 40%, respectively, after training (P < 0.05), indicating increased agonist neural drive, whereas antagonist cocontraction remained unchanged (P > 0.05). The VL muscle-specific force increased by 19%, from 27 ± 6.3 N/cm2 before to 32.1 ± 7.4 N/cm2 after training (P < 0.01), highlighting the effectiveness of strength training for increasing the intrinsic force-producing capacity of skeletal muscle in old age.

muscle architecture; strength training; ultrasound; physiological cross-sectional area


Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: N. D. Reeves, Institute for Biophysical and Clinical Research into Human Movement, Manchester Metropolitan Univ., MMU Cheshire, Alsager Campus, Hassall Road, Alsager, Cheshire ST7 2HL, UK (E-mail: N.Reeves{at}mmu.ac.uk).




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