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Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology 5/2007

01-07-2007 | Original Article

Changes in muscle and joint elasticity following long-term strength training in old age

Authors: Julien Ochala, Daniel Lambertz, Jacques Van Hoecke, Michel Pousson

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 5/2007

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Abstract

The current investigation was designed (1) to examine the effect of a 48-week strength training on musculotendinous (MT) and musculoarticular (MA) stiffness characteristics in older men and women; and (2) to evaluate the influence of gender on stiffness behaviour in response to such training. The training was performed twice per week and mainly consisted of three series of 10 repetitions of calf-rise at 75% of the 3-repetition maximum. Two methods were used to perform stiffness measurements during plantar flexion: (1) the use of quick-release movements, allowing the calculation of MT stiffness; (2) the application of sinusoidal perturbations to the joint, allowing the calculation of MA stiffness. In each case, stiffness was linearly related to torque, leading to the calculation of a normalized stiffness index (SI) as the slope of this stiffness-torque relationship: SIMT and SIMA, respectively. Results showed a similar decrease in SIMT among older men (−27%, P  < 0.05) and women (−29%, P  < 0.05) following training. A decrease in SIMA was only observed among women (−11%, P  < 0.05). The results suggest that (1) MT stiffness decreases following training in older individuals, counterbalancing the effect of ageing; and (2) older men and women respond differently to the same resistance-training stimulus in terms of MA stiffness. Gender-related differences in MA stiffness response may originate from passive MA elastic structures.
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Metadata
Title
Changes in muscle and joint elasticity following long-term strength training in old age
Authors
Julien Ochala
Daniel Lambertz
Jacques Van Hoecke
Michel Pousson
Publication date
01-07-2007
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 5/2007
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-006-0184-y

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