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Perceived exertion is elevated in old age during an isometric fatigue task
Brian L Allman1, Charles L Rice
1Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging, School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, N6A 3K7, London, ON, Canada.
European Journal of Applied Physiology
|April 1, 2003
Summary
Older men experience higher perceived exertion during muscle fatigue tasks but maintain similar neuromuscular function and voluntary activation levels as younger men. This indicates comparable muscle fatigue resistance across age groups despite differing exertion ratings.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Aging Research
- Neuromuscular Function
Background:
- Aging is associated with physiological changes that can affect exercise capacity and perceived exertion.
- Understanding age-related differences in neuromuscular responses during fatiguing tasks is crucial for exercise prescription and rehabilitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) between young and old men during isometric elbow flexor contractions.
- To investigate age-related differences in neuromuscular parameters during fatiguing contractions.
Main Methods:
- Young (25 yrs) and old (84 yrs) men performed intermittent isometric contractions at 60% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force.
- Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were assessed using a modified Borg scale.
- Neuromuscular parameters including MVC force, voluntary activation (twitch interpolation), and electromyography were measured.
Main Results:
- Old men reported higher RPE during initial stages of the protocol compared to young men (P<0.05).
- No significant age-related differences were found in the remaining MVC force at fatigue, voluntary activation, or electromyography.
- The decline in 50-Hz tetanic force was not significantly affected by age.
Conclusions:
- Despite higher perceived exertion, older men can sustain high levels of voluntary activation and achieve similar relative muscle fatigue as younger men.
- These findings suggest that age does not impair the ability to resist muscle fatigue, even with increased subjective effort.