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Aging and the force-velocity relationship of muscles
Isaac Selva Raj1, Stephen R Bird, Anthony J Shield
1Discipline of Exercise Sciences,School of Medical Sciences, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Bundoora West Campus, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia. isaacselva.raj@rmit.edu.au
Abstract:
Aging in humans is associated with a loss in neuromuscular function and performance. This is related, in part, to the reduction in muscular strength and power caused by a loss of skeletal muscle mass (sarcopenia) and changes in muscle architecture. Due to these changes, the force-velocity (f-v) relationship of human muscles alters with age. This change has functional implications such as slower walking speeds. Different methods to reverse these changes have been investigated, including traditional resistance training, power training and eccentric (or eccentrically-biased) resistance training. This review will summarise the changes of the f-v relationship with age, the functional implications of these changes and the various methods to reverse or at least partly ameliorate these changes.
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