The contributions of fibre atrophy, fibre loss, in situ specific force and voluntary activation to weakness in sarcopenia

MCPHEE, Jamie S, CAMERON, James, MADEN-WILKINSON, Tom, PIASECKI, Mathew, YAP, Moi Hoon, JONES, David A and DEGENS, Hans (2018). The contributions of fibre atrophy, fibre loss, in situ specific force and voluntary activation to weakness in sarcopenia. The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, 73 (10), 1287-1294.

Preview

PDF Maden-Wilkinson-ContributionsOfFibreAtrophy(AM).pdf - Accepted Version Creative Commons Attribution. Download (639kB) | Preview

Abstract

The contributions of fibre atrophy, fibre loss, in situ specific force and voluntary activation to weakness in sarcopenia remain unclear. To investigate, forty older (20 women; age 72±4yrs) and 31 younger adults (15 women, age 22±3yrs) completed measurements. The knee extensor maximal voluntary torque (MVC) was measured as well as voluntary activation, patella tendon moment arm length, muscle volume and fascicle architecture to estimate in situ specific force. Fibre cross-sectional area (FCSA), fibre numbers and connective tissue contents were also estimated from vastus lateralis biopsies. The MVC, quadriceps volume and specific force were 39%, 28% and 17% lower, respectively, in old compared with young, but voluntary activation was not different. The difference in muscle size was due in almost equal proportions to lower type II FCSA and fewer fibres. Five years later (n=23) the MVC, muscle volume and voluntary activation in old decreased an additional 12%, 6% and 4%, respectively, but there was no further change in specific force. Conclusions: in situ specific force declines relatively early in older age and reduced voluntary activation occurs later, but the overall weakness in sarcopenia is mainly related to loss of both type I and II fibres and type II fibre atrophy.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	** From Crossref via Jisc Publications Router.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Ageing, Geriatrics and Gerontology
Research Institute, Centre or Group - Does NOT include content added after October 2018:	Centre for Sport and Exercise Science
Departments - Does NOT include content added after October 2018:	Health and Well-being > Department of Sport
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/gly040
Page Range:	1287-1294
SWORD Depositor:	Margaret Boot
Depositing User:	Margaret Boot
Date Deposited:	07 Mar 2018 15:22
Last Modified:	18 Mar 2021 07:53
URI:	https://shura.shu.ac.uk/id/eprint/18828

Actions (login required)

View Item

Downloads

Publication Metrics