Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences Large Type Edition
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]
Author:
 		Keyword(s):
Year:  Vol:  Page: 

This Article
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Cited by other online articles
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Winegard, K. J.
Right arrow Articles by Vandervoort, A. A.
Right arrow Articles citing this Article
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Winegard, K. J.
Right arrow Articles by Vandervoort, A. A.

Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, Vol 52, Issue 6 B337-B343, Copyright © 1997 by The Gerontological Society of America

JOURNAL ARTICLE

An evaluation of the length-tension relationship in elderly human plantarflexor muscles

KJ Winegard, AL Hicks and AA Vandervoort
Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of aging on the muscle length-tension relationship in the plantarflexor muscles of 10 subjects aged 20-30 yr (Mean = 23; 5 males, 5 females), 10 subjects aged 60-80 yr (Mean = 72.3; 5 males, 5 females), and 10 subjects over 80 yr (Mean = 84.1, 5 males, 5 females). Isometric twitch properties, maximum voluntary strength, passive tension, and range of motion were measured at five different joint angles [20 degrees dorsiflexion (DF), 10 degrees DF, 0 degree, 10 degrees plantarflexion (PF), and 20 degrees PF]. Active (evoked and voluntary) and passive torque production were maximal when the ankle was rotated into the DF positions for all three age groups, whereas the lowest values were recorded when the ankle was rotated into 20 degrees PF. Males were stronger than females at all joint angles (p < .01). Also, young adults were stronger than both elderly adult groups (p < .01). These results illustrate that despite the considerable age-associated loss in both voluntary and evoked strength in the plantarflexors, the optimal angle for torque production remains the same for younger and older adults.


This article has been cited by other articles: (Search Google Scholar for Other Citing Articles)


Home page
 ptjournalHome page
R. L Gajdosik, D. W Vander Linden, and A. K Williams
Influence of Age on Length and Passive Elastic Stiffness Characteristics of the Calf Muscle-Tendon Unit of Women
Physical Therapy, September 1, 1999; 79(9): 827 - 838.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Appl. Physiol.Home page
I. R. Lanza, D. E. Befroy, and J. A. Kent-Braun
Age-related changes in ATP-producing pathways in human skeletal muscle in vivo
J Appl Physiol, November 1, 2005; 99(5): 1736 - 1744.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Appl. Physiol.Home page
M. Klass, S. Baudry, and J. Duchateau
Aging does not affect voluntary activation of the ankle dorsiflexors during isometric, concentric, and eccentric contractions
J Appl Physiol, July 1, 2005; 99(1): 31 - 38.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
All GSA journals The Gerontologist
Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
Copyright © 1997 by The Gerontological Society of America.