HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Simoneau, E. Articles by Van Hoecke, J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Simoneau, E. Articles by Van Hoecke, J.

Muscular Performances at the Ankle Joint in Young and Elderly Men

Equipe INSERM-ERM 207 Motricité-Plasticité, Faculté des Sciences du Sport, Université de Bourgogne, France.

Address correspondence to Emilie Simoneau, INSERM-ERM 207 Motricité-Plasticité, UFR STAPS, Faculté des Sciences du Sport, Université de Bourgogne, BP 27 877, 21 078 Dijon cedex, France. E-mail: emilie.simoneau{at}u-bourgogne.fr

The effect of aging on mechanical and electromyographic characteristics of ankle joint muscles was investigated in 11 young (mean age 24 years) and 12 elderly (mean age 77 years) males. Maximal and submaximal isometric voluntary torques were measured during ankle plantarflexion and dorsiflexion. Electromyographic activities of triceps surae and tibialis anterior muscles were recorded. The elderly group developed equal maximal dorsiflexion torques (42 vs 45 N.m, p >.05), but in plantarflexion, the elderly group was weaker (80 vs 132 N.m, p <.001) and presented a decreased twitch amplitude (11 vs 16 N.m) and lower coactivation (8% vs 15%) than that of the young adults. We established a linear relationship between the percentage of coactivation and developed resultant torque. Our results showed that dorsiflexor muscles were not affected by aging, contrary to plantarflexors, in which the decline in torque was partly explained by changes intervening at the peripheral level.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. S Rees, A. J Murphy, and M. L Watsford Effects of Whole-Body Vibration Exercise on Lower-Extremity Muscle Strength and Power in an Older Population: A Randomized Clinical Trial Physical Therapy, April 1, 2008; 88(4): 462 - 470. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Klass, S. Baudry, and J. Duchateau Age-related decline in rate of torque development is accompanied by lower maximal motor unit discharge frequency during fast contractions J Appl Physiol, March 1, 2008; 104(3): 739 - 746. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. J. McNeil and C. L. Rice Fatigability Is Increased With Age During Velocity-Dependent Contractions of the Dorsiflexors J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., June 1, 2007; 62(6): 624 - 629. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. J. McNeil, A. A. Vandervoort, and C. L. Rice Peripheral impairments cause a progressive age-related loss of strength and velocity-dependent power in the dorsiflexors J Appl Physiol, May 1, 2007; 102(5): 1962 - 1968. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. J. Galban, S. Maderwald, F. Stock, and M. E. Ladd Age-Related Changes in Skeletal Muscle as Detected by Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., April 1, 2007; 62(4): 453 - 458. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]