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Int J Sports Med 2006; 27(11): 885-893
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-923773
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Comparison of Muscle Mechanical and Histochemical Properties Between Young and Elderly Subjects

M. S. Chelly1 , 2 , K. Chamari3 , J. Verney1 , C. Denis1
  • 1Research Unit “Physiology, Physiopathology of Exercise and Handicap”, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Etienne, France
  • 2High Institute of Sport Science and Physical Activity, Ksar Saïd, Tunis, Tunisia
  • 3Unité de Recherche “Evaluation, Sport, Santé”, National Center of Medicine and Science in Sports, El Menzah, Tunisia
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted after revision: November 20, 2005

Publication Date:
08 June 2006 (online)

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Abstract

We examined age-related human muscle fiber changes and their relation with maximal power scaled to muscle volume (specific power). Fiber type distribution and cross sectional area (CSA) were determined from m. vastus lateralis in 7 young (YS; 29.6 ± 5 years) and 7 elderly subjects (ES; 74.3 ± 3 years). Muscle volume and mean CSA of the thigh were anthropometrically measured. Muscle power was assessed by a series of accelerations on a cycle ergometer. Specific power was 35 % lower in ES than YS. Area ratios of IIa/I and IIx/I fibers were lower in ES than YS. By including single fiber power data from the literature to the present results, the decline in the specific power between YS and ES was 34 %, when data of both IIa and IIx fibers were considered. The decrease of the specific power with age on the whole muscle would be compatible with the age-induced changes in the muscle histochemical characteristics.

Key words

Aging - muscle power - muscle biopsy - histochemistry - anthropometry

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Christian Denis

CHU Saint-Etienne, Hopital Bellevue, Unité Médecine du Sport et Myologie

42055 Saint-Etienne cedex 2

France

Phone: + 33477127985

Fax: + 33 4 77 12 72 29

Email: csouhaiel@yahoo.fr

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