Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 23, 2026
08:25
Evaluating the Function of the Foot Core System in the Elderly
Published on: March 11, 2022
3.3K
Associations between trunk muscle morphology, strength and function in older adults
Behnaz Shahtahmassebi1, Jeffrey J Hebert1,2, Mark D Hecimovich1,3
1School of Psychology and Exercise Science, Murdoch University, Perth, 6150, Australia.
Scientific Reports
|September 9, 2017
Summary
Stronger trunk muscles and larger rectus abdominis size are linked to better functional ability in older adults. This highlights the importance of trunk muscle training for improving mobility and balance in seniors.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Exercise Physiology
- Kinesiology
Background:
- Skeletal muscle is crucial for daily activities, with limb muscles well-studied.
- Trunk musculature's role in functional ability, particularly in older adults, is less understood.
- Aging is associated with declines in muscle mass and strength, impacting mobility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between trunk muscle size and strength and functional ability in older adults.
- To identify specific trunk muscles associated with key functional performance measures.
- To provide evidence for targeted exercise interventions in geriatric populations.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 64 community-dwelling older adults (≥60 years).
- Functional ability assessed using tests like the six-minute walk, chair stand, timed up and go, and Berg balance scale.
- Trunk muscle size (rectus abdominis, lumbar multifidus) and composite strength were measured.
- Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted, controlling for age and BMI.
Main Results:
- Significant univariate correlations were found between trunk muscle size/strength and various functional tests.
- Rectus abdominis size correlated with six-minute walk, chair stand, and sitting and rising tests.
- Trunk composite strength correlated with six-minute walk, chair stand, Berg balance, and sitting and rising tests.
- Multivariate analysis indicated that higher composite trunk strength (β=0.34) and rectus abdominis size (β=0.33) were significantly associated with better sitting and rising test performance, even after controlling for age and BMI.
Conclusions:
- Trunk muscle strength and size, particularly of the rectus abdominis, are associated with functional ability in older adults.
- These findings suggest that trunk muscle training may be beneficial for enhancing mobility and balance in this population.
- Further research is warranted to explore the efficacy of incorporating trunk-focused exercises into geriatric rehabilitation programs.
More Related Videos
09:21Muscle Function Obtained with Motion Mode Ultrasound and Surface Electromyography during Core Endurance Exercise
Published on: August 25, 2022
3.9K
15:00The Impact of Motor Task Conditions on Goal-Directed Arm Reaching Kinematics and Trunk Compensation in Chronic Stroke Survivors
Published on: May 2, 2021
4.1K
Related Concept Videos
01:18Axial and Appendicular Muscles
2.9K
Skeletal muscles, the key players in our body's movement, can be classified into two groups based on their location and function: axial muscles and appendicular muscles. These classifications reflect the primary roles the muscles play in the body's structure and movement.
Axial Muscles
Axial muscles, situated along the body's midline, are intricately connected to the axial skeleton, which includes the skull, spine, ribs, and sternum. These muscles facilitate facial expressions and...
Axial Muscles
Axial muscles, situated along the body's midline, are intricately connected to the axial skeleton, which includes the skull, spine, ribs, and sternum. These muscles facilitate facial expressions and...
2.9K
01:09Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age
3.8K
The upper and lower limb initially develops as a small bulge called a limb bud, which appears on the lateral side of the early embryo. The upper limb bud appears near the end of the fourth week of development, with the lower limb bud appearing shortly after.
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...
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...
3.8K
01:12Gross Anatomy of Skeletal Muscles
21.5K
The connective tissues play a significant role in arranging the muscle fibers into a hierarchical structure that forms a complete muscle. Consider a muscle like the bicep brachii, commonly called the bicep. This muscle comprises thousands of muscle fibers enclosed by a protective layer of connective tissue called the endomysium. The endomysium is primarily composed of reticular fibers, a type of thin collagen fiber. It allows the exchange of nutrients and waste products at the fiber level,...
21.5K
01:25Fascicle Arrangement in Skeletal Muscles
4.2K
Fascicles are bundles of muscle fibers in a skeletal muscle. Muscle fascicle arrangement is directly associated with the power and range of motion of various muscles. The configuration of these fascicles can vary, leading to different functional outcomes.
The four primary types of muscle based on fascicle arrangement are:
The four primary types of muscle based on fascicle arrangement are:
4.2K
01:25Muscles of the Thorax
3.8K
The thorax muscles are central to the body's respiration and provide essential support and movement for the upper body. They are intricately designed to facilitate the complex breathing process while also contributing to the structural integrity and mobility of the chest and upper limbs.
The diaphragm is at the core of thoracic musculature, the primary muscle involved in breathing. This expansive, dome-shaped muscle marks the division between the thoracic and abdominal cavities. It...
The diaphragm is at the core of thoracic musculature, the primary muscle involved in breathing. This expansive, dome-shaped muscle marks the division between the thoracic and abdominal cavities. It...
3.8K
01:26Muscles of the Anterior Neck
5.1K
The anterior neck muscles are the group of muscles covering the front part of the neck. These muscles are classified into three subgroups. The first one is the superficial muscles, the most visible muscles in the front of the neck. It includes the platysma and sternocleidomastoid. The second group is the suprahyoid muscles, located above the hyoid bone. This group comprises the digastric, mylohyoid, geniohyoid, and stylohyoid. Lastly, the infrahyoid muscles are found below the hyoid bone and...
5.1K