MATCHING TRICEPS SURAE MUSCLE STRENGTH AND TENDON STIFFNESS ELIMINATES AGE-RELATED DIFFERENCES IN DROP-JUMP PERFORMANCE

Authors

Matthias König
Svenja Hemmers
Christopher McCrum
Gaspar Epro
Thijs Ackermans
Ulrich Hartmann
Kiros Karamanidis

Category

Stronger

Document Type

Paper

Abstract

We aimed to determine the influence of triceps surae (TS) muscle strength and Achilles tendon (AT) stiffness on age-related changes in locomotor performance and motor task execution strategy during a drop jump (DJ) task. After matching 12 young and 12 middleaged adults for TS muscle strength and AT stiffness, all subjects performed a series of DJs from different starting heights. Matched young and middle-aged adults showed similar DJ performance but the middle-aged adults showed significantly longer ground contact times, lower values in maximum vertical ground reaction force during the support phase and lower mechanical power, independent of starting height. These results suggest that leg extensor muscle strength and tendon stiffness are the primary drivers of age-related changes in locomotor performance, but not motor task execution strategy selection during jumping.

Recommended Citation

König, Matthias; Hemmers, Svenja; McCrum, Christopher; Epro, Gaspar; Ackermans, Thijs; Hartmann, Ulrich; and Karamanidis, Kiros (2017) "MATCHING TRICEPS SURAE MUSCLE STRENGTH AND TENDON STIFFNESS ELIMINATES AGE-RELATED DIFFERENCES IN DROP-JUMP PERFORMANCE," ISBS Proceedings Archive: Vol. 35: Iss. 1, Article 191.
Available at: https://commons.nmu.edu/isbs/vol35/iss1/191