Mechanical muscle function, morphology, and fiber type in lifelong trained elderly

Per Aagaard; Peter S Magnusson; Benny Larsson; Michael Kjær; Peter Krustrup

doi:10.1249/mss.0b013e31814fb402

Mechanical muscle function, morphology, and fiber type in lifelong trained elderly

Per Aagaard, Peter S Magnusson, Benny Larsson, Michael Kjær, Peter Krustrup

90 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

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.

Original language	English
Journal	Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
Volume	39
Issue number	11
Pages (from-to)	1989-1996
Number of pages	7
ISSN	0195-9131
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1249/mss.0b013e31814fb402
Publication status	Published - 2007

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10.1249/mss.0b013e31814fb402

Cite this

@article{c5761bb0ec4611dcbee902004c4f4f50,

title = "Mechanical muscle function, morphology, and fiber type in lifelong trained elderly",

abstract = "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.",

author = "Per Aagaard and Magnusson, {Peter S} and Benny Larsson and Michael Kj{\ae}r and Peter Krustrup",

note = "Keywords: Aged; Denmark; Humans; Male; Muscle Contraction; Muscle Fibers; Quadriceps Muscle",

year = "2007",

doi = "10.1249/mss.0b013e31814fb402",

language = "English",

volume = "39",

pages = "1989--1996",

journal = "Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise",

issn = "0195-9131",

publisher = "Lippincott Williams & Wilkins",

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}

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 -