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01-08-2017 | Original Article

Muscular viscoelastic characteristics of athletes participating in the European Master Indoor Athletics Championship

Authors: Marco Gervasi, Davide Sisti, Stefano Amatori, Marco Andreazza, Piero Benelli, Piero Sestili, Marco Bruno Luigi Rocchi, Anna Rita Calavalle

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 8/2017

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate how the viscoelastic characteristics of muscles (non-neural tone, elasticity and stiffness) vary as a function of age and gender in a sample of track and field master athletes. To compare these findings with data on related sedentary subjects in literature.

Methods

A total of 390 athletes (aged 35–99) were assessed during the European Master Athletics Indoor Championship 2016. A non-invasive measurement device called MyotonPro was used to measure tone, stiffness, and elasticity in the biceps brachii and rectus femoris muscles at rest. Linear regression analysis was used to assess the correlation between age and the measured parameters. To compare our results with previously reported data, we stratified participants according to gender and age.

Results

Tone was found to not be dependent on age, whereas stiffness was found to be age dependent. Elasticity was found to be both physical activity and age dependent. Tone (only for men), elasticity, and stiffness were lower in master athletes than in sedentary subjects.

Conclusions

Tone, elasticity, and stiffness change with aging; nevertheless, our findings suggest that physical activity can delay the effects of muscular aging, improving fitness in older people.

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Title: Muscular viscoelastic characteristics of athletes participating in the European Master Indoor Athletics Championship
Authors: Marco Gervasi
Davide Sisti
Stefano Amatori
Marco Andreazza
Piero Benelli
Piero Sestili
Marco Bruno Luigi Rocchi
Anna Rita Calavalle
Publication date: 01-08-2017
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 8/2017
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3668-z

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Muscular viscoelastic characteristics of athletes participating in the European Master Indoor Athletics Championship

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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