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Cited by 400Muscle Physiology and DisordersNutrition and Health in AgingSpaceflight effects on biology

Effects of aging on human skeletal muscle after immobilization and retraining

Suetta, C., Hvid, L. G., Justesen, L., Christensen, U., Neergaard, K., Simonsen, L., Ortenblad, N., Magnusson, S. P. +2 more·2009·Journal of Applied Physiology
DOI 10.1152/japplphysiol.00290.2009
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Abstract

Inactivity is a recognized compounding factor in sarcopenia and muscle weakness in old age. However, while the negative effects of unloading on skeletal muscle in young individuals are well elucidated, only little is known about the consequence of immobilization and the regenerative capacity in elderly individuals. Thus the aim of this study was to examine the effect of aging on changes in muscle contractile properties, specific force, and muscle mass characteristics in 9 old (61–74 yr) and 11 young men (21–27 yr) after 2 wk of immobilization and 4 wk of retraining. Both young and old experienced decreases in maximal muscle strength, resting twitch peak torque and twitch rate of force development, quadriceps muscle volume, pennation angle, and specific force after 2 wk of immobilization ( P < 0.05). The decline in quadriceps volume and pennation angle was smaller in old compared with young ( P < 0.05). In contrast, only old men experienced a decrease in quadriceps activation. After retraining, both young and old regained their initial muscle strength, but old had smaller gains in quadriceps volume compared with young, and pennation angle increased in young only ( P < 0.05). The present study is the first to demonstrate that aging alters the neuromuscular response to short-term disuse and recovery in humans. Notably, immobilization had a greater impact on neuronal motor function in old individuals, while young individuals were more affected at the muscle level. In addition, old individuals showed an attenuated response to retraining after immobilization compared with young individuals.

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Authors
Suetta, C., Hvid, L. G., Justesen, L., Christensen, U., Neergaard, K., Simonsen, L., Ortenblad, N., Magnusson, S. P., Kjaer, M., & Aagaard, P.
Affiliations
  • University of Copenhagen (DK)
  • Institute of Sports Sciences and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark; and
  • Institute of Sports Medicine and Centre of Healthy Aging, Faculty of Health Science, University of Copenhagen, Bispebjerg Hospital;
  • University of Southern Denmark (DK)
Corresponding author
Suetta, C.
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Applied Physiology
Publisher
American Physiological Society
Published
2009-10
Volume
107
Issue
4
Pages
1172-1180
ISSN
  • 0161-7567 (ISSN-L)
  • 8750-7587
  • 1522-1601
DOI
10.1152/japplphysiol.00290.2009
OpenAlex
W2104683776
Cited by
400
References
133
Citations by year
2026: 20 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 41 · 2022: 25 · 2021: 26 · 2020: 30 · 2019: 34 · 2018: 23 · 2017: 28 · 2016: 22 · 2015: 22 · 2014: 14 · 2013: 34 · 2012: 17
FWCI
4.94
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Applied Physiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • University of Southern Denmark Research Portal (University of Southern Denmark) (publishedVersion)
  • Research at the University of Copenhagen (University of Copenhagen) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Muscle Physiology and Disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Nutrition and Health in Aging
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Spaceflight effects on biology
Keywords
aging, skeletal muscle, immobilization, disuse, retraining, sarcopenia, muscle strength, specific force, quadriceps, pennation angle, muscle volume, twitch response, muscle activation, older men
MeSH terms
Adult, Age Factors, Aged, Aging, Electric Stimulation, Humans, Immobilization, Male, Middle Aged, Motor Neurons, Muscle Contraction, Neuromuscular Junction, Organ Size, Time Factors, Muscle Weakness, Torque, Recovery of Function, Physical Therapy Modalities, Quadriceps Muscle, Muscle Strength, Young Adult, Sarcopenia

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