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European Journal of Applied Physiology

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01-07-2015 | Original Article

Children have a reduced maximal voluntary activation level of the adductor pollicis muscle compared to adults

Authors: V. Martin, V. Kluka, S. Garcia Vicencio, F. Maso, S. Ratel

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 7/2015

Abstract

Purpose

The role of nervous factors in the muscle strength difference between children and adults is debated, and the level of physical activity may confound this comparison. The purpose of this study was thus to compare, between children and adults, the maximal voluntary activation level (MVA) of the adductor pollicis (AP) muscle, which is weakly influenced by the level of physical activity.

Methods

Thirteen boys (11.6 ± 0.1 years) and eight men (25.6 ± 1.5 years) were involved in this study. Neuromuscular function assessment included the evaluation of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force and of the MVA from peripheral magnetic stimulations of the ulnar nerve. The cross-sectional area of the AP muscle was determined with ultrasonography and used to calculate the specific force. A theoretical value of specific force, extrapolated for a full MVA, was finally computed (specific force@100 % MVA).

Results

MVC force (66.8 ± 6.2 vs. 111.0 ± 4.5 N, respectively; P < 0.001) and MVA (85.0 ± 2.7 vs. 94.8 ± 1.4 %, respectively; P < 0.05) were significantly lower in children compared to adults. The specific force was lower in children compared to adults (46.8 ± 3.6 vs. 56.9 ± 2.5 N/cm², respectively; P < 0.05), but the specific force@100 % MVA did not differ between groups.

Conclusion

The results suggest that on an untrained muscle such as the AP muscle, the reduced ability of children to voluntarily activate their muscle could partly account for the difference of muscle strength between children and adults.

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Title: Children have a reduced maximal voluntary activation level of the adductor pollicis muscle compared to adults
Authors: V. Martin
V. Kluka
S. Garcia Vicencio
F. Maso
S. Ratel
Publication date: 01-07-2015
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 7/2015
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-015-3132-x

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Children have a reduced maximal voluntary activation level of the adductor pollicis muscle compared to adults

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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