Age-related differences in rapid torque production: influence of muscle size, quality, architecture, and activation
Institution: | University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill |
---|---|
Department: | |
Year: | 2014 |
Record ID: | 2033175 |
Full text PDF: | http://dc.lib.unc.edu/u?/etd,5844 |
Rapid torque production is important for many activities of daily living and has been shown to decrease in older adults. The purpose of the present study was to examine the age-related differences in the rate of torque development (RTD) and the influence of muscle size (CSA), muscle quality (EI), pennation angle (PA), fascicle length (FL) and the rate of electromyographic rise (RER) on RTD. Ultrasonography was used to examine muscle architecture and RTD and RER were examined with surface electromyography during a maximal isometric strength assessment in 35 young and 22 older men. Absolute peakRTD (aRTDpeak) and PA were lower and EI was greater in the older men (P0.05). With groups combined, CSA, EI, and PA were related to aRTDpeak (P<0.05). These findings may suggest that the age-related reductions in aRTDpeak may be related to alterations in muscle quality and PA.