Sandra Agyapong-Badu1, Martin Warner2, Dinesh Samuel3, Maria Stokes4. 1. Faculty of Health Sciences, Building 45, Highfield Campus, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK; School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK. 2. Faculty of Health Sciences, Building 45, Highfield Campus, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK; Arthrtis Research UK Centre for Sport, Exercise and Osteoarthritis, UK. 3. Faculty of Health Sciences, Building 45, Highfield Campus, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK. 4. Faculty of Health Sciences, Building 45, Highfield Campus, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK; Arthrtis Research UK Centre for Sport, Exercise and Osteoarthritis, UK. Electronic address: m.stokes@soton.ac.uk.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Age and gender effects on muscle tone and mechanical properties have not been studied using hand-held myometric technology. Monitoring changes in muscle properties with ageing in community settings may provide a valuable assessment tool for detecting those at risk of premature decline and sarcopenia. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to provide objective data on the effects of ageing and gender on muscle tone and mechanical properties of quadriceps (rectus femoris) and biceps brachii muscles. METHODS: In a comparative study of 123 healthy males and females (aged 18-90 years; n=61 aged 18-35; n=62 aged 65-90) muscle tone, elasticity and stiffness were measured using the MyotonPRO device. RESULTS: Stiffness was greater and elasticity lower in older adults for BB and RF (p<0.001). Tone was significantly greater in older adults for BB but not for RF when data for males and females were combined (p=0.28). There were no gender differences for BB in either age group. In RF, males had greater stiffness (young males 292 vs females 233 N/m; older males 328 vs females 311 N/m) and tone (young 16.4 vs 13.6 Hz; older 16.7 vs 14.9 Hz). Elasticity in RF was lower in young males than females but did not differ between the older groups (both males and females log decrement 1.6). CONCLUSIONS: Stiffness and tone increased with ageing and elasticity decreased. These findings have implications for detecting frailty using a novel biomarker. Age and gender differences are important to consider when assessing effects of pathological conditions on muscle properties in older people.
BACKGROUND: Age and gender effects on muscle tone and mechanical properties have not been studied using hand-held myometric technology. Monitoring changes in muscle properties with ageing in community settings may provide a valuable assessment tool for detecting those at risk of premature decline and sarcopenia. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to provide objective data on the effects of ageing and gender on muscle tone and mechanical properties of quadriceps (rectus femoris) and biceps brachii muscles. METHODS: In a comparative study of 123 healthy males and females (aged 18-90 years; n=61 aged 18-35; n=62 aged 65-90) muscle tone, elasticity and stiffness were measured using the MyotonPRO device. RESULTS: Stiffness was greater and elasticity lower in older adults for BB and RF (p<0.001). Tone was significantly greater in older adults for BB but not for RF when data for males and females were combined (p=0.28). There were no gender differences for BB in either age group. In RF, males had greater stiffness (young males 292 vs females 233 N/m; older males 328 vs females 311 N/m) and tone (young 16.4 vs 13.6 Hz; older 16.7 vs 14.9 Hz). Elasticity in RF was lower in young males than females but did not differ between the older groups (both males and females log decrement 1.6). CONCLUSIONS: Stiffness and tone increased with ageing and elasticity decreased. These findings have implications for detecting frailty using a novel biomarker. Age and gender differences are important to consider when assessing effects of pathological conditions on muscle properties in older people.
Authors: Marco Gervasi; Davide Sisti; Stefano Amatori; Marco Andreazza; Piero Benelli; Piero Sestili; Marco Bruno Luigi Rocchi; Anna Rita Calavalle Journal: Eur J Appl Physiol Date: 2017-06-24 Impact factor: 3.078
Authors: Janine Tomasch; Babette Maleiner; Philipp Heher; Manuel Rufin; Orestis G Andriotis; Philipp J Thurner; Heinz Redl; Christiane Fuchs; Andreas H Teuschl-Woller Journal: Front Bioeng Biotechnol Date: 2022-05-20
Authors: Marco Gervasi; Davide Sisti; Piero Benelli; Eneko Fernández-Peña; Cinzia Calcabrini; Marco B L Rocchi; Luigi Lanata; Michela Bagnasco; Andrea Tonti; Stocchi Vilberto; Piero Sestili Journal: Medicine (Baltimore) Date: 2017-07 Impact factor: 1.889