Kohei Watanabe1, Motoki Kouzaki2, Toshio Moritani3. 1. Laboratory of Neuromuscular Biomechanics, School of International Liberal Studies, Chukyo University, Yagotohonmachi, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8666, Japan. 2. Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. 3. School of Health and Sports Sciences, Chukyo University, Nagoya, Japan.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: We compared the region-specific neuromuscular activation and muscle morphology along the rectus femoris (RF) muscle between young and elderly. METHODS: Ratios of surface electromyography amplitude between hip flexion and knee extension (HF/KE) were compared among regions along the muscle for 9 young and 9 elderly men. Muscle thickness was also compared among the regions. RESULTS: HF/KE in the proximal region was significantly greater than in the middle and distal regions for both the young and elderly (P < 0.05). However, a significant difference in HF/KE between the middle and distal regions was found in the young (P < 0.05), but not in the elderly (P > 0.05). A difference in the region-specific muscle thickness was observed between the young and elderly. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that functional role and muscle morphology are regionally affected by aging along the RF muscle. Muscle Nerve 56: 982-986, 2017.
INTRODUCTION: We compared the region-specific neuromuscular activation and muscle morphology along the rectus femoris (RF) muscle between young and elderly. METHODS: Ratios of surface electromyography amplitude between hip flexion and knee extension (HF/KE) were compared among regions along the muscle for 9 young and 9 elderly men. Muscle thickness was also compared among the regions. RESULTS: HF/KE in the proximal region was significantly greater than in the middle and distal regions for both the young and elderly (P < 0.05). However, a significant difference in HF/KE between the middle and distal regions was found in the young (P < 0.05), but not in the elderly (P > 0.05). A difference in the region-specific muscle thickness was observed between the young and elderly. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that functional role and muscle morphology are regionally affected by aging along the RF muscle. Muscle Nerve 56: 982-986, 2017.