TY - JOUR
T1 - Mechanical muscle function, morphology, and fiber type in lifelong trained elderly
AU - Aagaard, Per
AU - Magnusson, Peter S
AU - Larsson, Benny
AU - Kjær, Michael
AU - Krustrup, Peter
N1 - Keywords: Aged; Denmark; Humans; Male; Muscle Contraction; Muscle Fibers; Quadriceps Muscle
PY - 2007
Y1 - 2007
N2 - PURPOSE: Maximal muscle contraction force and muscle mass are both reduced during the natural aging process. Long-term training may be used to attenuate this age-related loss in muscle function and muscle size. METHODS: Maximum isometric quadriceps strength (MVC), rate of force development (RFD), and muscle fiber composition and size (CSA) were studied in elderly individuals (68-78 yr) chronically exposed (> 50 yr) to either endurance (E) or strength (S) training, and in age-matched, untrained (U) elderly group. RESULTS: E and S showed greater MVC than did U. Contractile RFD was elevated in S compared with U, and S also demonstrated greater type II fiber CSA than did U and E. The proportion of type I fibers was greater in E compared with U and S. CONCLUSIONS: Muscle fiber size and mechanical muscle performance, particularly RFD, were consistently elevated in aged individuals exposed to chronic (i.e., lifelong) strength training. This relative preservation in muscle morphology and function may provide an important physical reserve capacity to retain muscle mass and function above the critical threshold for independent living at old age.
AB - PURPOSE: Maximal muscle contraction force and muscle mass are both reduced during the natural aging process. Long-term training may be used to attenuate this age-related loss in muscle function and muscle size. METHODS: Maximum isometric quadriceps strength (MVC), rate of force development (RFD), and muscle fiber composition and size (CSA) were studied in elderly individuals (68-78 yr) chronically exposed (> 50 yr) to either endurance (E) or strength (S) training, and in age-matched, untrained (U) elderly group. RESULTS: E and S showed greater MVC than did U. Contractile RFD was elevated in S compared with U, and S also demonstrated greater type II fiber CSA than did U and E. The proportion of type I fibers was greater in E compared with U and S. CONCLUSIONS: Muscle fiber size and mechanical muscle performance, particularly RFD, were consistently elevated in aged individuals exposed to chronic (i.e., lifelong) strength training. This relative preservation in muscle morphology and function may provide an important physical reserve capacity to retain muscle mass and function above the critical threshold for independent living at old age.
U2 - 10.1249/mss.0b013e31814fb402
DO - 10.1249/mss.0b013e31814fb402
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 17986907
SN - 0195-9131
VL - 39
SP - 1989
EP - 1996
JO - Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
JF - Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
IS - 11
ER -