Waanders, J. (Jeroen) (2016) Functional relevance of relative maintenance of maximal eccentric quadriceps torque in healthy old adults. thesis, Human Movement Sciences.
Full text available on request.Abstract
Background: Old referenced to young adults show a relative maintenance of maximal eccentric (RELM) compared to concentric muscle torque: ~76% and ~59%, respectively. However, it is unknown if RELM affords functional benefits in old adults. Objective: We examined if there is specificity between the two types of peak quadriceps torque (i.e., concentric, eccentric) and timed gait performance measured during level, ramp, and stair walking and if gait performance was higher in old adults with high vs. low RELM. Methods: We measured peak concentric and eccentric quadriceps torque at 60 and 120°/s and timed gait at habitual and safe-fast speeds in healthy young (age 22.7, n = 24) and old (age 70.0, n = 21) adults. Results: Comparable to previous studies, RELM was ~21%, but instead of the anticipated specificity we found that concentric torque was stronger associated with gait performance than eccentric torque, independently of walking direction and age (R2 = 0.16: eccentric vs. descending gaits; R2 = 0.17: eccentric vs. ascending gaits; R2 = 0.45: concentric vs. descending gaits; R2 = 0.56: concentric vs. ascending gaits, n = 45, all p < .01). Furthermore, old adults (n = 10) with ~30% greater vs. normal levels of RELM (n = 11) ambulated at similar velocities measured on level and inclined surfaces. Conclusion: Normal and 30% above normal levels of RELM do not seem to predict or increase healthy old adults’ gait performance on level and inclined surfaces. Future work should examine if RELM is associated with a heightened performance in other measures of neuromuscular function such as gait biomechanics, muscle activation, and rate and control of voluntary force development in old adults with high or low mobility.
| Item Type: | Thesis (UNSPECIFIED) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Hortobágyi, prof. dr. T. |
| Faculty: | Medical Sciences |
| Date Deposited: | 04 May 2022 08:17 |
| Last Modified: | 04 May 2022 08:17 |
| URI: | https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3207 |
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