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Changes in triceps surae muscle architecture with sarcopenia
C I Morse1, J M Thom, K M Birch
1Institute for Biophysical and Clinical Research into Human Movement (IRM), Manchester Metropolitan University, Alsager Campus, Hassall Road, Alsager, Cheshire ST7 2HL, UK.
Acta Physiologica Scandinavica
|March 4, 2005
Summary
Aging preserves the relative muscle composition of the triceps surae (TS) muscle group, maintaining its force-generating capacity. Muscle volume and fascicle length decrease harmonically with age.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Gerontology
- Muscle Physiology
Background:
- Sarcopenia, age-related muscle loss, affects muscle function.
- The triceps surae (TS) muscle group's components may experience sarcopenia differently.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if sarcopenia is uniformly distributed across the gastrocnemius medialis, gastrocnemius lateralis, and soleus muscles.
- To investigate age-related changes in muscle volume, fascicle length, pennation angle, and physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA) within the TS group.
Main Methods:
- In vivo measurements of muscle volume (VOL), fibre fascicle length (Lf), pennation angle (theta), and PCSA were performed.
- The study included young males (YM) and elderly males (EM).
Main Results:
- Elderly males exhibited significantly smaller muscle volumes in all three TS components compared to young males.
- While fascicle length decreased in the medial gastrocnemius and pennation angle decreased across all three muscles in elderly males, the relative PCSA composition of the TS remained unchanged.
- The soleus muscle's contribution to PCSA was crucial in maintaining the overall TS PCSA distribution.
Conclusions:
- The relative PCSA composition of the triceps surae is maintained with aging.
- Age-related decreases in muscle volume and fascicle length are harmonically scaled.
- This suggests that the relative contribution of TS muscle components to total force production is preserved in older adults.