Journal of Applied Physiology AJP: Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology
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J Appl Physiol (May 19, 2005). doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.01186.2004
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Submitted on October 21, 2004
Accepted on April 5, 2005

IN VIVO PHYSIOLOGICAL CROSS SECTIONAL AREA AND SPECIFIC FORCE ARE REDUCED IN THE GASTROCNEMIUS OF ELDERLY MALES

Christopher I Morse1*, Jeanette M Thom1, Neil D Reeves1, Karen M Birch1, and Marco V Narici1

1 Institute for Biophysical and Clinical Research into Human Movement (IRM), Manchester Metropolitan University, Alsager, Cheshire, United Kingdom

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: c.morse{at}mmu.ac.uk.

Sarcopenia and muscle weakness are well known consequences of ageing. The aim of the present study was to ascertain whether the age associated muscle weakness was also due to a decrease in intrinsic muscle force. In vivo physiological cross sectional area (PCSA) and specific force of the lateral head of the gastrocnemius muscle (GL) were assessed in a group of elderly males (EM, aged 73.8 ± 3.5 years, height 173.4 ± 4.4 cm, weight 78.4 ± 8.3 kg, mean ± SD) and for comparison in a group of young males (YM, aged 25.3 ± 4.4 years, height 176.4 ± 7.7 cm, weight 79.1 ± 11.9 kg). GL muscle volume (VOL) and Achilles tendon moment arm length (m.a.) were evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging. Pennation angle ({theta}), and fibre fascicle length (Lf) were measured using B-mode ultrasonograpahy during isometric maximum voluntary contraction of the plantarflexors (PF MVC). PCSA was estimated as VOL/Lf. GL fascicle force (Ff) was calculated from the tendon force (Ft) component (Ff=Ft/cos {theta}) after accounting for agonist and antagonist activation level (assessed by twitch-interpolation and EMG recordings), Achilles tendon m.a. and the relative PCSA of the GL within the plantarflexors group. GL specific force was calculated as Ff/PCSA. Voluntary activation of the GL muscle was lower in the EM than in the YM (86 % vs. 98 %, respectively, P < 0.05). Compared to the YM, PF MVC torque and Ff of the EM were lower by 47 % and 40 %, respectively (P < 0.01). Both VOL and PCSA were smaller in the EM by 28 % (P < 0.01) and 16 % (P < 0.05), respectively. Also, pennation angle was 12 % smaller in the EM, whereas there was no significant difference in Lf between the YM and EM. Remarkably, after accounting for differences in agonists and antagonists activation, the net specific force of the EM was 30 % lower than that of the YM (P < 0.01). These findings demonstrate that the loss of muscle strength with ageing may not only be explained by a reduced voluntary drive to the muscle but mostly by a decrease in intrinsic muscle force. This phenomenon may possibly be due to a reduction in single fibre specific tension.




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