vendex and Stiff-Person-Syndrome

We examined the effects of aging on passive stiffness, size, quality, and strength characteristics of the posterior hip and thigh muscles.. Fifteen young (25 ± 3 years) and 15 old (72 ± 5 years) men participated in this study. Echo intensity (EI) and cross-sectional area (CSA) were determined from ultrasound scans of the hamstrings. Straight-leg raises were used to assess passive stiffness, which was calculated from the slopes of the initial (phase 1) and final (phase 2) portions of the angle-torque curve. Peak torque (PT) and rate of torque development (RTD) were assessed through maximal voluntary contractions.. Phase 2 slope and EI were higher (P ≤ 0.024), and CSA, PT, and RTD were lower (P ≤ 0.011) in the old compared with the young men; however, no difference (P = 0.145) was observed for phase 1 slope.. Decreases in muscle quality, as indicated by increases in EI, may contribute to the greater passive stiffness observed in older adults. Muscle Nerve 55: 305-315, 2017.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aging; Electromyography; Humans; Isometric Contraction; Male; Muscle Strength; Muscle, Skeletal; Range of Motion, Articular; Statistics as Topic; Stiff-Person Syndrome; Torque; Ultrasonography; Young Adult