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J Appl Physiol 101: 906-917, 2006. First published May 11, 2006; doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00299.2006
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Aging, muscle fiber type, and contractile function in sprint-trained athletes

Marko T. Korhonen,1,4 Alexander Cristea,2 Markku Alén,1,4 Keijo Häkkinen,3 Sarianna Sipilä,1,4 Antti Mero,3 Jukka T. Viitasalo,5 Lars Larsson,2,* and Harri Suominen1,4,*

1Department of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland; 2Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University of Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden; 3Department of Biology of Physical Activity, University of Jyväskylä; 4The Finnish Centre for Interdisciplinary Gerontology; 5KIHU — Research Institute for Olympic Sports, Jyväskylä, Finland

Submitted 10 March 2006 ; accepted in final form 9 May 2006

Biopsy samples were taken from the vastus lateralis of 18- to 84-yr-old male sprinters (n = 91). Fiber-type distribution, cross-sectional area, and myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform content were identified using ATPase histochemistry and SDS-PAGE. Specific tension and maximum shortening velocity (Vo) were determined in 144 single skinned fibers from younger (18–33 yr, n = 8) and older (53–77 yr, n = 9) runners. Force-time characteristics of the knee extensors were determined by using isometric contraction. The cross-sectional area of type I fibers was unchanged with age, whereas that of type II fibers was reduced (P < 0.001). With age there was an increased MHC I (P < 0.01) and reduced MHC IIx isoform content (P < 0.05) but no differences in MHC IIa. Specific tension of type I and IIa MHC fibers did not differ between younger and older subjects. Vo of fibers expressing type I MHC was lower (P < 0.05) in older than in younger subjects, but there was no difference in Vo of type IIa MHC fibers. An aging-related decline of maximal isometric force (P < 0.001) and normalized rate of force development (P < 0.05) of knee extensors was observed. Normalized rate of force development was positively associated with MHC II (P < 0.05). The sprint-trained athletes experienced the typical aging-related reduction in the size of fast fibers, a shift toward a slower MHC isoform profile, and a lower Vo of type I MHC fibers, which played a role in the decline in explosive force production. However, the muscle characteristics were preserved at a high level in the oldest runners, underlining the favorable impact of sprint exercise on aging muscle.

exercise; myosin heavy chain; single-fiber contractile properties; muscle strength


Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: H. Suominen, Dept. of Health Sciences, Univ. of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, FI-40014 Jyväskylä, Finland (e-mail: harri.suominen{at}sport.jyu.fi)




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