F. Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is planted in the forest to enhance the natural ginseng resources, which have an immense medicinal and economic value. The morphology of the cultivated plants becomes similar to that of wild growing ginseng (W. Ginseng) over the years. So far, there have been no studies highlighting the physiological or functional changes in F. Ginseng and its wild counterparts. In the present study, we used proteomic technologies (2DE and iTRAQ) coupled to mass spectrometry to compare W. Ginseng and F. Ginseng at various growth stages. Hierarchical cluster analysis based on protein abundance revealed that the protein expression profile of 25-year-old F. Ginseng was more like W. Ginseng than less 20-year-old F. Ginseng. We identified 192 differentially expressed protein spots in F. Ginseng. These protein spots increased with increase in growth years of F. Ginseng and were associated with proteins involved in energy metabolism, ginsenosides biosynthesis, and stress response. The mRNA, physiological, and metabolic analysis showed that the external morphology, protein expression profile, and ginsenoside synthesis ability of the F. Ginseng increased just like that of W. Ginseng with the increase in age. Our study represents the first characterization of the proteome of F. Ginseng during development and provides new insights into the metabolism and accumulation of ginsenosides.

Purpose-Squatting activities may be used, within exercise programs, to preserve physical function in older adults. This study characterized the lower-extremity peak joint angles, peak moments, powers, work, impulse, and muscle recruitment patterns (electromyographic; EMG) associated with two types of squatting activities in elders.Methods-Twenty-two healthy, older adults (ages 70-85) performed three trials each of: 1) a squat to a self-selected depth (normal squat; SQ) and 2) a squat onto a chair with a standardized height of 43.8 cm (chair squat; CSQ). Descending and ascending phase joint kinematics and kinetics were obtained using a motion analysis system and inverse dynamics techniques. Results were averaged across the three trials. A 2 × 2 (activity × phase) ANOVA with repeated measures was used to examine the biomechanical differences among the two activities and phases. EMG temporal characteristics were qualitatively examined.Results-CSQ generated greater hip flexion angles, peak moments, power, and work, whereas SQ generated greater knee and ankle flexion angles, peak moments, power, and work. SQ generated a greater knee extensor impulse, a greater plantar flexor impulse and a greater total support impulse. The EMG temporal patterns were consistent with the kinetic data. Conclusions-The results suggest that, with older adults, CSQ places greater demand on the hip extensors, whereas SQ places greater demand on the knee extensors and ankle plantar flexors. Clinicians may use these discriminate findings to more effectively target specific lower-extremity muscle groups when prescribing exercise for older adults. Keywords AGING; BIOMECHANICS; JOINT MOMENT; JOINT POWER; EMG; CHAIR SQUAT; BOX SQUATResistance exercise prescription is a diverse science used to improve sport performance, rehabilitate injury, and preserve functional independence in older adults. Despite its branching applicability, all resistance exercise prescriptions require a fundamental analysis, termed needs analysis. Needs analysis is the process whereby clinicians, coaches, and NIH Public Access Author ManuscriptMed Sci Sports Exerc. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2012 October 17. rehabilitation specialists analyze the biomechanical requirements of an activity to select resistance exercises with similar motor recruitment patterns. Thus, appropriate resistance exercise prescription requires an analysis of both the activity to be improved, restored, or preserved and the exercises that may be used in these endeavors.The preservation of physical independence is a growing concern within our society, receiving attention from geriatric clinicians, educators, researchers, and exercise specialists. Walking, sitting and rising from a chair, and ascending and descending stairs are important determinants of independence; consequently, researchers are using biomechanical analyses to better characterize these activities. Gait has received comprehensive biomechanical evaluation (30), and although not as consolidated, there is considerable biom...

Further research is warranted to determine whether exercises that increase knee strength and work capacity, improve brisk walking, stair climbing, and chair standing capabilities in older adults.