There is growing evidence that biological aging results in impaired force production of the lower... more There is growing evidence that biological aging results in impaired force production of the lower extremities and deficits in reflex activity. This study therefore investigated maximal and explosive force production capacity, functional reflex activity (FRA) during gait perturbations, and the relationship between variables of force production capacity and FRA in young and elderly men. Twenty-eight young (age 27±3 yrs, n=14) and old (age 67±4 yrs, n=14) healthy active men were tested for decelerating impulses on a treadmill and for their maximal isometric leg extension force (MIF) and rate of force development (RFD) on a leg-press. MIF and RFD were significantly lower in the elderly than in younger participants (MIF ~45%, p<0.01; RFD ~50%, p<0.01). Elderly subjects showed significant decreases in FRA in the prime mover which compensated for the decelerating impulse (FRA ~29%, p<0.05). No significant correlations were found between FRA, MIF or RFD. Lower MIF, RFD and impaired FRA were found in old compared with young men. The absence of significant correlations between measures of strength performance and FRA may indicate that different mechanisms within the neuromuscular system are responsible for these capacities. This result may imply that force production and functional reflex activity are independent of each other and may have to be trained complementarily.
The aging neuromuscular system is affected by structural and functional changes which lead to a g... more The aging neuromuscular system is affected by structural and functional changes which lead to a general slowing down of neuromuscular performance. As a consequence, the process of aging results in a reduced ability to develop maximal and explosive force. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to examine the impact of sensorimotor training on maximal bilateral isometric leg extension force (MVC) and maximum rate of force development in elderly men. 40 healthy, elderly males between the ages of 60 and 80 years participated in this study. The 40 subjects were randomly assigned to the sensorimotor training group (SG) and the control group (KOG). Subjects of the SG conducted 13-week training on wobble boards, sissles, soft mats, and uneven surfaces. All subjects (SG and KOG) were pre-and post-tested for their MVC and their RFD on a leg-press. After the 13-week training period, sensorimotor training led to significant increases in MVC, RFD, and EMG values of the leg extensors.
There is growing evidence that biological aging results in impaired force production of the lower... more There is growing evidence that biological aging results in impaired force production of the lower extremities and deficits in reflex activity. This study therefore investigated maximal and explosive force production capacity, functional reflex activity (FRA) during gait perturbations, and the relationship between variables of force production capacity and FRA in young and elderly men. Twenty-eight young (age 27±3 yrs, n=14) and old (age 67±4 yrs, n=14) healthy active men were tested for decelerating impulses on a treadmill and for their maximal isometric leg extension force (MIF) and rate of force development (RFD) on a leg-press. MIF and RFD were significantly lower in the elderly than in younger participants (MIF ~45%, p<0.01; RFD ~50%, p<0.01). Elderly subjects showed significant decreases in FRA in the prime mover which compensated for the decelerating impulse (FRA ~29%, p<0.05). No significant correlations were found between FRA, MIF or RFD. Lower MIF, RFD and impaired FRA were found in old compared with young men. The absence of significant correlations between measures of strength performance and FRA may indicate that different mechanisms within the neuromuscular system are responsible for these capacities. This result may imply that force production and functional reflex activity are independent of each other and may have to be trained complementarily.
The aging neuromuscular system is affected by structural and functional changes which lead to a g... more The aging neuromuscular system is affected by structural and functional changes which lead to a general slowing down of neuromuscular performance. As a consequence, the process of aging results in a reduced ability to develop maximal and explosive force. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to examine the impact of sensorimotor training on maximal bilateral isometric leg extension force (MVC) and maximum rate of force development in elderly men. 40 healthy, elderly males between the ages of 60 and 80 years participated in this study. The 40 subjects were randomly assigned to the sensorimotor training group (SG) and the control group (KOG). Subjects of the SG conducted 13-week training on wobble boards, sissles, soft mats, and uneven surfaces. All subjects (SG and KOG) were pre-and post-tested for their MVC and their RFD on a leg-press. After the 13-week training period, sensorimotor training led to significant increases in MVC, RFD, and EMG values of the leg extensors.
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Papers by Markus Gruber