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Neuromuscular mechanics and hopping training in elderly

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Abstract

Purpose

The present study examined the effects of repetitive hopping training on muscle activation profiles and fascicle–tendon interaction in the elderly.

Methods

20 physically active elderly men were randomly assigned for training (TG) and control groups (CG). TG performed supervised bilateral short contact hopping training with progressively increasing training volume. Measurements were performed before the training period (BEF) as well as after 2 weeks (2 W) and 11 weeks (11 W) of training. During measurements, the gastrocnemius medialis–muscle (GaM) fascicle and its outer Achilles tendon length changes during hopping were examined by ultrasonography together with electromyographic (EMG) activities of calf muscles, kinematics, and kinetics.

Results

At 2 W, the ankle joint stiffness was increased by 21.0 ± 19.3 % and contact time decreased by 9.4 ± 7.8 % in TG. Thereafter, from 2–11 W the jumping height increased 56.2 ± 18.1 % in TG. Simultaneously, tendon forces increased 24.3 ± 19.0 % but tendon stiffness did not change. GaM fascicles shifted to shorter operating lengths after training without any changes in their length modifications during the contact phase of hopping. Normalized EMG amplitudes during hopping did not change with training.

Conclusions

The present study shows that 11 W of hopping training improves the performance of physically active elderly men. This improvement is achieved with shorter GaM operating lengths and, therefore, increased fascicle stiffness and improved tendon utilization after training. Based on these results, hopping training could be recommended for healthy fit elderly to retain and improve rapid force production capacity.

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Abbreviations

AJS:

Ankle joint stiffness

ATF:

Achilles tendon force

BEF:

Baseline (first) measurement session before training

CG:

Control group

EMG:

Electromyography

Fz:

Vertical component of the ground reaction force

GaL:

Gastrocnemius lateralis muscle

GaM:

Gastrocnemius medialis muscle

GRF:

Ground reaction force

KJS:

Knee joint stiffness

MTU:

Muscle–tendon unit

MTJ:

Muscle–tendon junction

MVC:

Maximal voluntary contraction

RMS:

Root mean square

RSI:

Reactive strength index

SOL:

Soleus muscle

TA:

Tibialis anterior muscle

TG:

Training group

2 W:

Second measurement session after 2 weeks of training

11 W:

Third and last measurement session after 11 weeks of training

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the valuable contribution of Ms. P. Puttonen and Mr Masanobu Akiyama for help with the data analysis. This study was supported by Grant #123757 from the Academy of Finland, by Finnish Cultural Foundation´s South Ostrobothnia Regional Fund´s personal grant for Merja Hoffrén-Mikkola and by the research exchange grant of Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences. Dr Rantalainen was supported by an Alfred Deakin Postdoctoral Research Fellowship from Deakin University during the preparation of the manuscript.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology of Physical Activity, Neuromuscular Research Center, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland

    Merja Hoffrén-Mikkola, Janne Avela & Paavo V. Komi

  2. Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences, Osaka, Japan

    Masaki Ishikawa

  3. Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia

    Timo Rantalainen

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  1. Merja Hoffrén-Mikkola
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  2. Masaki Ishikawa
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  3. Timo Rantalainen
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  4. Janne Avela
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Correspondence to Merja Hoffrén-Mikkola.

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Communicated by Olivier Seynnes.

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Hoffrén-Mikkola, M., Ishikawa, M., Rantalainen, T. et al. Neuromuscular mechanics and hopping training in elderly. Eur J Appl Physiol 115, 863–877 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-3065-9

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