Age dependency of neuromuscular function and dynamic balance control

作者：Piirainen Jarmo M^*; Avela Janne; Sippola Niina; Linnamo Vesa

来源：European Journal of Sport Science, 2010, 10(1): 69-79.

DOI：10.1080/17461390903100254

• Balance
• ageing
• muscle strength
• H-reflex

The purpose of the present study was to examine whether static and dynamic balance control are related to neuromuscular function and ageing. For this purpose, we constructed a new dynamic balance measurement system that simulates natural falling. Ten young (age 21-31 years) and 20 elderly (age 60-70 years) men participated in the experiment. Maximal isometric torque (MVC) and activation level were measured from the quadriceps and plantar flexor muscles. The H-reflex, V-wave, and maximal M-wave were measured from the soleus muscle. In dynamic balance control, anterior-posterior centre-of-pressure swaying was 74 +/- 8.1 mm in the young men and 91.5 +/- 19.4 mm in the elderly men (P0.05), whereas in the static condition there were no significant differences between the two groups. Knee extension MVC (young: 181 +/- 42 N center dot m; elderly: 135 +/- 39 N center dot m; P0.01), torque after 500 ms (young: 147 +/- 36 N center dot m; elderly: 108 +/- 39 N center dot m; P0.05), and activation level (young: 96.2 +/- 0.8%; elderly: 93.8 +/- 2.1%; P0.01) were higher in the young than the elderly men; no differences were observed in plantar flexion. The amount of re-stabilization after a sudden disturbance seems to be an age-related phenomenon, which is seen as a connection between balance control and rapid force production.

• 出版日期2010