Boštjan Šimunič, Rado Pišot, and Jörn Rittweger, Institute for Kinesiology Research, Science and Research centre of Primorska, University of Primorska, Koper, Slovenia, Institute for Biomedical Research into Human Movement and Health, Manchester Metropolitan, University, UK
Abstract
Normal aging is characterized by muscular atrophy and a loss of force-generating capacity. The goal of
this research was to investigate the age and sport activity type on postural (vastus lateralis) and non
postural (biceps femoris) muscles’ contraction time in 170 master athletes (athletic events) and 51 non
athletes. We found significant age effect in postural muscle (P = 0.032) and also in non postural muscle
(P < 0.001). However, we found sport activity type effect significant just in non postural muscle (P <
0.001). The interaction effect of age * sport was significant in both observed muscles. Sprinters/jumpers
deteriorate with age the most in postural muscle, while non athletes in non postural muscle. We could
conclude that non postural muscle deteriorate the most without regular sport activity, while postural
muscle have enough daily stimuli to be prevented from major deterioration.
Keywords: Ageing, Skeletal muscle, Sport Activity, Tensiomyography, Athletics, Contraction time
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