Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 20, 2026

Improving Strength, Power, Muscle Aerobic Capacity, and Glucose Tolerance through Short-term Progressive Strength Training Among Elderly People
Published on: July 5, 2017
The effect of age and joint angle on the proportionality of extensor and flexor strength at the knee joint
Hans H C M Savelberg1, Kenneth Meijer
1Department of Human Movement Science, Faculty of Health Science, Universiteit Maastricht, P.O. Box 616, NL-6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands. hans.savelberg@bw.unimaas.nl
Abstract:
Functional movements require concerted actions of monoarticular and biarticular agonists and antagonists. Understanding age-related changes of muscle function on performance requires insight in the contributions of different muscles to joint moments. Young and elderly participants performed isometric knee extensions and flexions at combinations of knee and hip joint angles. This approach allowed assessing changes in contribution of monoarticular and biarticular knee joint flexors and extensors. Reduced moments were found for elderly persons (flexors: -43%; extensors: -33%). In the flexor group, this reduction was mainly caused by retardation of the biarticular muscles; in the extensors, by reduced strength of the monoarticular muscles. This age-related reduction of joint moments occurred to be joint angle dependent for the extensors. In the flexor group, the reduction was almost invariant. Due to this difference in joint angle dependence, the proportionality between extensors and flexors varied over joint angles and differed with age. It has been discussed how this is related to changes in performances occurring with age.
More Related Videos
07:44Construction of Constant-Load (Isotonic) and Constant-Velocity (Isokinetic) Torque-Velocity-Power Profiles In vivo for the Rat Plantar Flexors
Published on: October 3, 2025
07:51Reliability of A Vibration-Based Elastography Protocol For Assessing Achilles Tendon Stiffness Across Multiple Joint Angles In Elite Athletes
Published on: June 16, 2026
Related Concept Videos
Bones of the Lower Limb: Femur and Patella
The Effect of Aging on Tissues
Method of Joints: Problem Solving II
Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
Indeterminate Structure
Development of the Limb Synovial Joints
The mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into chondrocytes that form the hyaline cartilage, and later the cartilaginous model of the bone. This model further transforms into a bone. This process is known as endochondral ossification.
During development, the limbs...