Age related differences in maximal and rapid torque characteristics of the leg extensors and flexors in young, middle-aged and old men

Thompson, Brennan J.; Ryan, Eric D.; Sobolewski, Eric J.; Conchola, Eric C.; Cramer, Joel T.

doi:10.1016/j.exger.2012.10.009

Cited by 83 publications

(68 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…1°dorsiflexion) during the isometric strength testing. Taken together, however, these findings are in agreement with previous studies (Ditroilo et al 2010;Izquierdo et al 1999;Thompson et al 2013) that have suggested older adults experience greater reductions in RFD/RTD than maximal isometric strength when compared to young men. Moreover, it is of interest that the present agerelated force deficits were observed despite no differences in CCG, which may suggest age-related changes in rapid and maximal force variables occur prior to any substantial changes in plantar flexor size.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…The old men in the current study exhibited a 30.7 % and 46.2 % reduction in PF and RFDpeak, respectively, when compared to the young men. Although these findings are within the ranges reported previously, it is possible that the discrepancies among our findings and previous studies may be attributed to (1) differences in occupational (Bemben et al 1991) and leisure time physical activity (Kuta et al 1970) levels, (2) muscle-specific differences (Bemben et al 1991;Thompson et al 2013), (3) age range variations among studies (Izquierdo et al 1999;Bemben et al 1991), and (4) isometric strength testing setups. For example, when compared to the present study, Thelen et al (1996) reported lower age-related reductions in plantar flexion peak torque (24.3 %) and peak RTD (28.8 %), which may be a result of different testing setups, as their participants were tested lying supine (as opposed to upright in the present study), at a greater knee angle (20°vs.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 55%

“…Previous studies have examined the age-related reductions in maximal and rapid force capabilities between young and old adults for the leg extensors (Izquierdo et al 1999;Ditroilo et al 2010;Thompson et al 2013), leg flexors , dorsiflexors (Thelen et al 1996;Klass et al 2008), and plantar flexor muscles (Thelen et al 1996;Bemben et al 1991). Collectively, these studies have reported 14-46 % decreases in maximal isometric strength (PF or peak torque) and 25-64 % decreases in the peak rate of force/torque development.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous studies have reported age-related reductions in maximal voluntary isometric strength for the muscles of the lower limb such as the leg extensors (Izquierdo et al 1999; Thompson et al 2013), leg flexors , dorsiflexors (Klass et al 2008;Thelen et al 1996), and plantar flexors (Bemben et al 1991;Thelen et al 1996). However, it is often demonstrated that rapid force characteristics [i.e., rate of force or torque development (RFD or RTD)] may decrease during aging to a greater magnitude (39-64 %) than maximal isometric strength (29-46 %; Ditroilo et al 2010;Izquierdo et al 1999; Thompson et al 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, it is often demonstrated that rapid force characteristics [i.e., rate of force or torque development (RFD or RTD)] may decrease during aging to a greater magnitude (39-64 %) than maximal isometric strength (29-46 %; Ditroilo et al 2010;Izquierdo et al 1999; Thompson et al 2013). These findings are critical given that the ability to rapidly produce force plays an important role during many activities of daily living (Aagaard et al 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Age-related changes in the rate of muscle activation and rapid force characteristics

Thompson

Ryan

Herda

et al. 2013

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Declines in muscle size and strength are commonly reported as a consequence of aging; however, few studies have investigated the influence of aging on the rate of muscle activation and rapid force characteristics across the lifespan. This study aims to investigate the effects of aging on the rate of muscle activation and rapid force characteristics of the plantar flexors. Plantar flexion peak force (PF), absolute (peak, 50, and 100-200 ms), and relative (10 %, 30 %, and 50 %) rate of force development (RFD), the rapid to maximal force ratio (RFD/PF), and the rate of electromyography rise (RER) were examined during an isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) in young (age = 22 ± 2 years), middle-aged (43± 2 years), and old (69± 5 years) men. The old men exhibited lower PF (30.7 % and 27.6 % lower, respectively) and absolute (24.4-55.1 %) and relative (16.4-28.9 %) RFD values compared to the young and middle-aged men (P≤0.03).RER values were similar between the young and old men (P≥0.30); however, RER values were greater for the middle-aged men when compared to the young and old men for the soleus (P<0.01) and the old men for the medial gastrocnemius (P≤0.02). Likewise, RFD/PF ratios were similar between young and old men (P≥0.26); however, these ratios were greater for the middle-aged men at early (P≤0.03), but not later (P≥0.10), time intervals. The lower PF and absolute and relative RFD values for the old men may contribute to the increased functional limitations often observed in older adults. Interestingly, higher rates of muscle activation and greater early RFD/PF ratios in middle-aged men may be a reflection of physiological alterations in the neuromuscular system occurring in the fifth decade.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 55%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Age-related changes in the rate of muscle activation and rapid force characteristics

Thompson

Ryan

Herda

et al. 2013

AGE

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Knee extension rate of torque development and peak torque: associations with lower extremity function

Osawa

Studenski

Ferrucci

2018

J cachexia sarcopenia muscle

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BackgroundWith aging, the ability to generate muscle force decreases, contributing to declines in physical functions such as walking. While most studies assess muscle force by peak torque, the rate of torque development (RTD) reflects a dynamic component of muscle performance that is important for physical function. Using data from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, we assessed whether RTD adds significantly to peak torque in associations with lower extremity performance. If so, RTD may help identify weak older adults for screening and intervention.MethodsWe assessed associations of RTD and peak torque with physical performance independent of demographics, BMI, body composition, and each other in 1089 Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging participants (49.7% women; aged 26 to 96 years; women, 64.0 ± 13.8 years; men, 68.4 ± 14.4 years). Peak torque was assessed by isometric and 30 deg/s isokinetic knee extension tests. Peak RTD was operationalized as the maximum torque‐time slope among successive 50 ms epochs over the first 3 s of a test of knee extension isometric strength, with the knee joint positioned at 120 deg of flexion. A battery of lower extremity performance tests included gait speed during a 6 m walk at usual and fast pace (6 m usual and fast), time to complete a 400 m walk at fast pace (400 m), distance covered in a 2.5 min walk at normal pace (2.5 min), time to complete 5 and 10 chair stands, and two summary tests of lower extremity performance. Sex‐stratified generalized linear regression models were adjusted for age, race, BMI, appendicular lean mass, and whole body fat mass.ResultsIn men, independent of either measure of peak torque and cofactors, RTD was a significant (P < 0.05) predictor of all lower extremity performance tests except the 400 m and 2.5 min walks. In women, independent of peak torque, RTD was only a significant independent correlate of the 6 m fast walk (P < 0.001).ConclusionsRTD independently contributes to physical functions in men but less in women. The mechanisms underlying the sex difference are unclear and require further study.

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Effects of neuromuscular fatigue on electromechanical delay of the leg extensors and flexors in young men and women

et al. 2015

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Age related differences in maximal and rapid torque characteristics of the leg extensors and flexors in young, middle-aged and old men

Cited by 83 publications

References 40 publications

Age-related changes in the rate of muscle activation and rapid force characteristics

Age-related changes in the rate of muscle activation and rapid force characteristics

Knee extension rate of torque development and peak torque: associations with lower extremity function

Effects of neuromuscular fatigue on electromechanical delay of the leg extensors and flexors in young men and women

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