Ageing, Tendon Stiffness and Resistance Training

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MYOTENDINOUS PLASTICITY TO AGEING AND RESISTANCE EXERCISE.

Reeves ND, Narici MV, Maganaris CN.

Exp Physiol. 2006 Feb 9; [Epub ahead of print]

Manchester Metropolitan University.

The age-related loss of muscle mass known as sarcopenia is one of the

main determinants of frailty in old age. Molecular, cellular,

nutritional and hormonal mechanisms are at the basis of sarcopenia

and are responsible for a progressive deterioration in skeletal

muscle size and function. Both at single fibre and at whole-muscle

level, the loss of force exceeds that predicted by the decrease in

muscle size. For single fibres, the loss of intrinsic force is mostly

due to a loss in myofibrillar protein content.

For whole muscle, in addition to changes in neural drive, alterations

in muscle architecture and in tendon mechanical properties,

exemplified by a reduction in tendon stiffness, have recently been

shown to contribute to this phenomenon. Resistance training can

however cause substantial gains in muscle mass and strength and

provides a protective effect against several of the cellular and

molecular changes associated with muscle wasting and weakness. In old

age, not only muscles, but also tendons are highly responsive to

training, as an increase in tendon stiffness has been observed after

a period of increased loading. Many of the myotendinous factors

characterizing ageing can be at least partly reversed by resistance

training.

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Carruthers

Wakefield, UK