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Immobilization effects in young and older adults

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Abstract

This experiment compared the effects of disuse on the adductor pollicis (AP) muscle in young (YM) and old (OM) men. The AP of the YM and OM was assessed for strength (MVC), compound muscle action potential (CMAP), and volume, and then immobilized for 2 weeks. MVC decreased ~22% in the YM, and OM (P<0.001). AP volume was 4.1% (not significant) and 9.5% (P<0.05) less in the YM and OM, respectively. CMAP increased in the OM 0, 24, and 48 h post-immobilization, and did not change in the YM. However, the YM showed a greater decrease in specific force as compared to the OM. YM and OM experienced similar losses in strength, yet muscle volume loss was only significant in OM. Although OM are more susceptible to immediate losses in muscle volume, muscle activation strategies appear to preserve strength during atrophy.

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Acknowledgement

This research was supported by grants from the American College of Sports Medicine Foundation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Life Fitness Academy and the Gatorade Sports Science Institute. The author received a fellowship to conduct this research from the American Federation of Aging Research. We thank Ian Lanza for his critical review of the manuscript. Reprint requests to Priscilla Clarkson, Department of Exercise Science, 110 Totman Building, 30 Eastman Lane, Amherst, MA 01003.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Exercise Science, University of Massachusetts, 30 Eastman Lane, 110 Totman Building, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA

    M. L. Urso & P. M. Clarkson

  2. Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA

    T. B. Price

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  1. M. L. Urso
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  2. P. M. Clarkson
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  3. T. B. Price
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Correspondence to M. L. Urso.

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Urso, M.L., Clarkson, P.M. & Price, T.B. Immobilization effects in young and older adults . Eur J Appl Physiol 96, 564–571 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-005-0109-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-005-0109-1

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