Gastrocnemius specific force is increased in elderly males following a 12-month physical training programme
Abstract
The aim of the present investigation was to determine whether muscle force per physiological cross sectional area (PCSA) of the lateral gastrocnemius (GL) of elderly males increased following a 12-month physical training programme. Eleven elderly males were assigned to a 12-month training programme (TRN mean age 72.7 +/- 3.3 years, mean +/- SD) and eight elderly males were allocated to a control group (CTRL, 73.9 +/- 4.0 years) who maintained their habitual physical activity levels. In vivo measurements of muscle architecture, muscle volume (VOL), achilles tendon moment arm length and plantarflexor torque were used to estimate GL PCSA (VOL/fascicle length) and specific force (GL fascicle force/GL PCSA). Maximal GL fascicle force was calculated accounting for agonist muscle activation and antagonist co-activation. Following training GL fascicle force increased by 31% (P < 0.01), which was not entirely accounted for by a 17% increase in PCSA (from 27.2 +/- 5.9 to 31.8 +/- 6.2 cm(2), P < 0.05). Specific force increased significantly from 8.9 +/- 1.9 to 11.2 +/- 3.0 N cm(-2) (P < 0.05). Pennation angle, but not fascicle length, increased by 12% with training (P < 0.05). The CTRL group showed no change in muscle size, strength or architecture over the 12-month period. In conclusion, with the level of agonist and antagonist muscle activity accounted for a 12-month strength training programme resulted in an increase in both PCSA and specific force in elderly males.
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Resistance exercise is an effective means of combating the loss of muscle mass and function in a variety of populations.
“Although not specifically evaluated in older adults during bed rest, there is clear evidence that resistance exercise is an effective means of combating the loss of muscle mass and function in a variety of populations [25-34].”
From Protecting muscle mass and function in older adults during bed rest (2010) · cites this paper as [34]
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References 46 · Cited by 61
- Authors
- Morse, C. I., Thom, J. M., Mian, O. S., Birch, K. M., & Narici, M. V.
- Affiliations
- Manchester Metropolitan University (GB)
- University of Leeds (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Morse, Christopher I.
- Venue
- European Journal of Applied Physiology
- Published
- 2006-07-21
- Volume
- 100
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 563-570
- ISSN
- 0020-9376 (ISSN-L)
- 1439-6319
- 1439-6327
- OpenAlex
- W2038089000
- Cited by
- 61
- References
- 46
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 4 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 7
- FWCI
- 4.41
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- European Journal of Applied Physiology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- e-space (Manchester Metropolitan University) (submittedVersion)
- UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
- Padua Research Archive (University of Padova) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Muscle activation and electromyography studies
- Keywords
- gastrocnemius, specific force, physiological cross-sectional area, muscle architecture, resistance training, elderly man, plantarflexion torque, pennation angle, fascicle length, muscle volume
- MeSH terms
- Achilles Tendon, Adaptation, Physiological, Aged, Aging, Double-Blind Method, Humans, Isometric Contraction, Male, Muscle Contraction, Physical Education and Training, Physical Fitness, Muscle, Skeletal, Torque, Muscle Strength
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