Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Ex Vivo Assessment of Contractility, Fatigability and Alternans in Isolated Skeletal Muscles
Published on: November 1, 2012
Effects of age on muscle energy metabolism and oxygenation in the forearm muscles
T Kutsuzawa1, S Shioya, D Kurita
1School of Health Sciences, Tokai University, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa, 259-1193, Japan. tkutsu@is.icc.u-tokai.ac.jp
Purpose:
The effects of aging on muscle metabolism and oxygenation have not yet been elucidated. We evaluated the effects of aging on energy metabolism and oxygenation in sedentary healthy subjects by simultaneously measuring 31P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS).
Methods:
Nine young (28.1 +/- 5.0 yr) and nine older (61.4 +/- 4.6 yr) healthy subjects were studied. The 31P-MR spectrum was obtained every 15 s during and after hand gripping exercise. Intracellular pH (pHi) and PCr/(PCr+Pi) [PCr: phosphocreatine, Pi: inorganic phosphate] were calculated as an index of energy metabolism. The time constant of the PCr/(PCr+Pi) recovery (tau PCr) was calculated. With NIRS, we evaluated the recovery rates of oxygenated (RHbO2) and deoxygenated hemoglobin (RHb) during the initial 10 s of recovery.
Results:
The PCr/(PCr+Pi) and pHi at rest and at completion of the exercise and tau PCr did not differ between young and older subjects. However, RHbO2 and RHb were significantly slower in older subjects than in young subjects.
Conclusions:
The results suggest that muscle energy metabolism in the forearm muscle was not affected by aging. The slower RHbO2 and RHb in older subjects suggested impaired O2 supply, which was probably due to impaired peripheral circulation caused by the process of aging.
More Related Videos
12:59Improving Strength, Power, Muscle Aerobic Capacity, and Glucose Tolerance through Short-term Progressive Strength Training Among Elderly People
Published on: July 5, 2017
08:12Measurement of Mitochondrial Respiration in Human and Mouse Skeletal Muscle Fibers by High-Resolution Respirometry
Published on: October 4, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Mitochondria
The Effect of Aging on Tissues
Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Energy Supply for Muscle Contraction
Muscle Recovery and Fatigue
Exercise and Muscle Performance
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...