Load-sensitive adhesion factor expression in the elderly with skiing: relation to fiber type and muscle strength

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Gerontology
• Muscle Biology

Background:

• Aging leads to functional deficits in knee extensor muscles, increasing sarcopenia risk.
• Downhill skiing may counteract these deficits through specific muscle fiber recruitment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of 12 weeks of downhill skiing on knee extensor muscle function in the elderly.
• To explore gender-specific adaptations in muscle structure and function.

Main Methods:

• 12-week downhill skiing intervention.
• Analysis of muscle fiber cross-sectional area (slow and fast-type).
• Measurement of muscle force and expression of proteins related to muscle-tendon adhesion (gamma-vinculin, tenascin-C, focal adhesion kinase).

Main Results:

• Downhill skiing increased slow and fast muscle fiber size by 1.4-fold.
• Muscle fiber hypertrophy was more pronounced in women than men.
• Gender-specific alterations in pro- and de-adhesive proteins were observed, correlating with force production.

Conclusions:

• Downhill skiing promotes balanced adaptations in slow and fast motor units, preventing sarcopenia.
• Muscle hypertrophy and reinforced fiber adhesion contribute to improved muscle strength in older skiers.