Comparison between old and young men for responses to fast velocity maximal lengthening contractions of the elbow flexors.
Controversy exists concerning the susceptibility of elderly individuals to eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage. This study investigated the hypothesis that muscle damage induced by fast maximal lengthening contractions would be greater for old than young men. Ten old (64 +/- 4 years) and young (25 +/- 6 years) men performed 30 maximal voluntary lengthening contractions of the elbow flexors at an angular velocity of 210 degrees s(-1). Prior to exercise, no significant differences were evident between groups for criterion measures. A significant (P < 0.05) group x time interaction was found only for isometric strength and muscle soreness with the old group showing significantly slower recovery of strength and less development of soreness compared with the young group. These results did not support the hypothesis that old men would be more susceptible to muscle damage, but confirmed a previous study reporting that recovery of muscle strength was slower for old than young individuals.
Chapman
Dale W
DW
School of Exercise, Biomedical and Health Science, Edith Cowan University, 100 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA, 6027 Australia. dale.chapman@ausport.gov.au
Newton
M
M
McGuigan
M R
MR
Nosaka
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D053580:Muscle Strength; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography
D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D003402:Creatine Kinase