title: Neuromuscular economy, strength, and endurance in healthy elderly men.
abstract: Declines in muscular strength resulting from reduced neural activity may influence the reduction in aerobic capacity in older men. However, there has been little investigation into the relationship between muscular strength and economy of movement during aerobic exercise in elderly subjects. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the possible relationship between strength, aerobic performance, and neuromuscular economy in older men. Twenty-eight aged men (65 ± 4 years old) were evaluated in dynamic (1 repetition maximum test), isometric strength (maximal voluntary contraction), and rate of force development. Peak oxygen uptake, maximal workload, and ventilatory threshold were determined during a ramp protocol on a cycle ergometer. Throughout the same protocol, the neuromuscular economy (electromyographic signal) of the vastus lateralis was measured. Significant correlations were found between muscular strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, and neuromuscular economy (r = 0.43-0.64, p < 0.05). Our results suggest that cardiorespiratory capacity and economy of movement are associated with muscular strength during aging.
authors.affiliation: Exercise Research Laboratory, Physical Education School, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil. edcadore@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Eduardo Lusa
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Cadore
authors.forename: Ronei Silveira
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Cristine Lima
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Alberton
authors.forename: Stephanie Santana
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Francisco Luiz Rodrigues
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Lhullier
authors.forename: Marcus Peikriszwili
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Tartaruga
authors.forename: Cleiton Silva
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Correa
authors.forename: Ana Paula Viola
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.forename: Eduardo Marczwski
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Orlando
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Laitano
authors.forename: Luiz Fernando Martins
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Kruel
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*