6533b854fe1ef96bd12aeb1e
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Slower Walking Speed in Older Men Improves Triceps Surae Force Generation Ability
Sarianna SipiläTaija FinniNeil J. CroninLauri Stenrothsubject
Muscle fascicleAdultMalemedicine.medical_specialtytendonPhysical Therapy Sports Therapy and RehabilitationElectromyographyTendons03 medical and health sciencesYoung Adult0302 clinical medicineTriceps surae musclegastrocnemiusmedicineHumansOrthopedics and Sports MedicineGround reaction forceta315Muscle SkeletalsoleusAgedUltrasonographyfascicleSoleus muscleAged 80 and overRM695_Physicalmedicine.diagnostic_testultrasoundbusiness.industryElectromyographyagingultraääni030229 sport sciencesFascicleQPWalking SpeedPreferred walking speedmedicine.anatomical_structurePhysical therapymedicine.symptombusinesshuman activities030217 neurology & neurosurgeryfascicle tendonMuscle contractionMuscle Contractiondescription
Purpose \ud Older adults walk slower than young adults, but it is not known why. Previous research suggests that ankle plantarflexors may have a crucial role in the reduction of walking speed. The purpose of this study was to investigate age-related differences in triceps surae muscle–tendon function during walking to further investigate the role of plantarflexors in the age-related reduction of walking speed.\ud \ud Methods \ud Medial gastrocnemius and soleus muscle fascicle lengths were measured using ultrasound imaging during walking from 13 young (25 ± 4 yr) men at preferred walking speed and from 13 older (73 ± 5 yr) men at preferred speed and at the young men’s preferred speed. Muscle–tendon unit lengths were calculated from joint kinematics, and tendinous tissue lengths were calculated by subtracting muscle lengths from muscle–tendon unit lengths. In addition, ground reaction forces and electromyographic activity of medial gastrocnemius and soleus were measured.\ud \ud Results \ud In both medial gastrocnemius and soleus, it was observed that at preferred walking speed, older men used a narrower muscle fascicle operating range and lower shortening velocity at the estimated time of triceps surae peak force generation compared with young men. Fascicles also accounted for a lower proportion of muscle–tendon unit length changes during the stance phase in older compared with young men. Significant differences in triceps surae muscle function were not observed between age groups when compared at matched walking speed.\ud \ud Conclusions \ud In older men, walking at preferred speed allows triceps surae muscles to generate force with more favorable shortening velocity and to enhance use of tendinous tissue elasticity compared with walking at young men’s preferred speed. The results suggest that older men may prefer slower walking speeds to compensate for decreased plantarflexor strength.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-07-30 |