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DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1231046
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York
Muscle Strength and Metabolism in Master Athletes
Publication History
accepted after revision May 27, 2009
Publication Date:
14 August 2009 (online)
![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/sportsmed/200910/lookinside/thumbnails/10.1055-s-0029-1231046-1.jpg)
Abstract
Knee extensor muscle strength and metabolism were examined in endurance trained young versus master athletes (10 elderly: 62.5±4.1 yr and 10 young: 26.2±2.4 yr). Before and immediately after a resistance strength training (RST), subjects performed a maximal isometric voluntary contraction (MVC) and a 10-min cycling test at a same relative intensity. During MVC, evoked contractions of the knee extensors muscles were performed to assess neuromuscular properties. Metabolism was assessed using oxygen uptake kinetics model. Before the RST session master athletes showed lower knee extensors MVC values than young subjects (257 vs. 354 N p<0.05) without any difference in oxygen kinetics (respectively for elederly and young: oxygen slow component (VO2 sc): 231 vs. 214 ml · min−1 and time constant (τ1): 27.8 vs. 25.1 s, p>0.05). After the RST session, a similar effect of fatigue was observed on muscular properties and oxygen kinetics whatever the group (respectively for elderly and young: MVC: −13.4 vs. −15.9%; VO2 sc: +11.8 vs.+25.2% and τ1: −15.4 vs. −13.9%). Our results suggest that the ability of master athletes to perform exercise at a given intensity is maintained despite a significant loss in strength with ageing.
Key words
ageing - endurance training - strength - oxygen uptake kinetics
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Correspondence
Prof. J. Brisswalter
University of Nice Sophia Antipolis
Laboratory of Human Motricity Education and Health
BP 3259 205 Nice
France
Phone: +33/6/31/79 27 17
Fax: +33/4/92/29 65 49
Email: brisswalter@gmail.com