scholarly journals Aging of skeletal muscle: a 12-yr longitudinal study

2000 ◽  
Vol 88 (4) ◽  
pp. 1321-1326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walter R. Frontera ◽  
Virginia A. Hughes ◽  
Roger A. Fielding ◽  
Maria A. Fiatarone ◽  
William J. Evans ◽  
...  

The present study examines age-related changes in skeletal muscle size and function after 12 yr. Twelve healthy sedentary men were studied in 1985–86 (T1) and nine (initial mean age 65.4 ± 4.2 yr) were reevaluated in 1997–98 (T2). Isokinetic muscle strength of the knee and elbow extensors and flexors showed losses ( P < 0.05) ranging from 20 to 30% at slow and fast angular velocities. Computerized tomography ( n = 7) showed reductions ( P < 0.05) in the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the thigh (12.5%), all thigh muscles (14.7%), quadriceps femoris muscle (16.1%), and flexor muscles (14.9%). Analysis of covariance showed that strength at T1 and changes in CSA were independent predictors of strength at T2. Muscle biopsies taken from vastus lateralis muscles ( n = 6) showed a reduction in percentage of type I fibers (T1 = 60% vs. T2 = 42%) with no change in mean area in either fiber type. The capillary-to-fiber ratio was significantly lower at T2 (1.39 vs. 1.08; P = 0.043). Our observations suggest that a quantitative loss in muscle CSA is a major contributor to the decrease in muscle strength seen with advancing age and, together with muscle strength at T1, accounts for 90% of the variability in strength at T2.

Sports ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin M. Carroll ◽  
Caleb D. Bazyler ◽  
Jake R. Bernards ◽  
Christopher B. Taber ◽  
Charles A. Stuart ◽  
...  

The purpose of the study was to compare the physiological responses of skeletal muscle to a resistance training (RT) program using repetition maximum (RM) or relative intensity (RISR). Fifteen well-trained males underwent RT 3 d·wk−1 for 10 weeks in either an RM group (n = 8) or RISR group (n = 7). The RM group achieved a relative maximum each day, while the RISR group trained based on percentages. The RM group exercised until muscular failure on each exercise, while the RISR group did not reach muscular failure throughout the intervention. Percutaneous needle biopsies of the vastus lateralis were obtained pre-post the training intervention, along with ultrasonography measures. Dependent variables were: Fiber type-specific cross-sectional area (CSA); anatomical CSA (ACSA); muscle thickness (MT); mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR); adenosine monophosphate protein kinase (AMPK); and myosin heavy chains (MHC) specific for type I (MHC1), type IIA (MHC2A), and type IIX (MHC2X). Mixed-design analysis of variance and effect size using Hedge’s g were used to assess within- and between-group alterations. RISR statistically increased type I CSA (p = 0.018, g = 0.56), type II CSA (p = 0.012, g = 0.81), ACSA (p = 0.002, g = 0.53), and MT (p < 0.001, g = 1.47). RISR also yielded a significant mTOR reduction (p = 0.031, g = −1.40). Conversely, RM statistically increased only MT (p = 0.003, g = 0.80). Between-group effect sizes supported RISR for type I CSA (g = 0.48), type II CSA (g = 0.50), ACSA (g = 1.03), MT (g = 0.72), MHC2X (g = 0.31), MHC2A (g = 0.87), and MHC1 (g = 0.59); with all other effects being of trivial magnitude (g < 0.20). Our results demonstrated greater adaptations in fiber size, whole-muscle size, and several key contractile proteins when using RISR compared to RM loading paradigms.


2003 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 491-500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris M. Gregory ◽  
Krista Vandenborne ◽  
Michael J. Castro ◽  
G. Alton Dudley

Results of studies of rodent skeletal muscle plasticity are often extrapolated to humans. However, responses to "disuse" may be species specific, in part because of different inherent properties of anatomically similar muscles. Thus, this study quantified human and rat m. vastus lateralis (VL) fiber adaptations to 11 weeks of spinal cord injury (SCI). The m. VL was taken from 8 young (54 d) male Charles River rats after T-9 laminectomy (n = 4) or sham surgery (n = 4). In addition, the m. VL was biopsied in 7 able-bodied and in 7 SCI humans (31.3 ± 4.7 years, mean ± SE). Samples were sectioned and fibers were analyzed for type (I, IIa, IIb/x), cross-sectional area (CSA), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), α-glycerol-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH), and actomyosin adenosine triphosphatase (qATPase) activities. Rat fibers had 1.5- to 2-fold greater SDH and GPDH activities while their fibers were 60% the size of those in humans. The most striking differences, however, were the absence of slow fibers in the rat and its four-fold greater proportion of IIb/x fibers (80% vs. 16% of the CSA) compared to humans. SCI decreased SDH activity more in rats whereas atrophy and IIa to IIb/x fiber shift occurred to a greater extent in humans. It is suggested that the rat is a reasonable model for studying the predominant response to SCI, atrophy. However, its high proportion of IIb/x fibers limits evaluation of the mechanical consequences of shifting to "faster" contractile machinery after SCI. Key words: enzyme, fiber type, disuse, biopsy


2004 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 195-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alissa Guildner Gehrke ◽  
Margaret Sheie Krull ◽  
Robin Shotwell McDonald ◽  
Tracy Sparby ◽  
Jessica Thoele ◽  
...  

Age-related changes in skeletal muscle, in combination with bed rest, may result in a poorer rehabilitation potential for an elderly patient. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of non-weight bearing (hind limb unweighting [HU]) on the soleus and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) in older rats. Two non-weight bearing conditions were used: an uninterrupted bout of HU and an interrupted bout of HU. Twenty-one rats were randomly placed into 1 of 3 groups: control, interrupted HU (2 phases of 7 days of HU, separated by a 4-day weight-bearing phase) and an uninterrupted HU (18 uninterrupted days of HU). Following non-weight bearing, the soleus and EDL muscles were removed. Fiber type identification was performed by myofibrillar ATPase and cross-sectional area was determined. The findings suggest that any period of non-weight bearing leads to a decrease in muscle wet weight (19%-45%). Both type I and type II fibers of the soleus showed atrophy (decrease in cross-sectional area, 35%-44%) with an uninterrupted bout of non-weight bearing. Only the type II fibers of the soleus showed recovery with an interrupted bout of weight bearing. In the EDL, type II fibers were more affected by an uninterrupted bout of non-weight bearing (15% decrease in fiber size) compared to the type I fibers. EDL type II fibers showed more atrophy with interrupted bouts of non-weight bearing than with a single bout (a 40% compared to a 15% decrease). This study shows that initial weight bearing after an episode of non-weight bearing may be damaging to type II fibers of the EDL.


1989 ◽  
Vol 66 (5) ◽  
pp. 2454-2461 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. J. Green ◽  
J. R. Sutton ◽  
A. Cymerman ◽  
P. M. Young ◽  
C. S. Houston

Adaptations in skeletal muscle in response to progressive hypobaria were investigated in eight male subjects [maximal O2 uptake = 51.2 +/- 3.0 (SE) ml.kg-1.min-1] over 40 days of progressive decompression to the stimulated altitude of the summit of Mt. Everest. Samples of the vastus lateralis muscle extracted before decompression (SL-1), at 380 and 282 Torr, and on return to sea level (SL-2) indicated that maximal activities of enzymes representative of the citric acid cycle, beta-oxidation, glycogenolysis, glycolysis, glucose phosphorylation, and high-energy phosphate transfer were unchanged (P greater than 0.05) at 380 and 282 Torr over initial SL-1 values. After exposure to 282 Torr, however, representing an additional period of approximately 7 days, reductions (P less than 0.05) were noted in succinic dehydrogenase (21%), citrate synthetase (37%), and hexokinase (53%) between SL-2 and 380 Torr. No changes were found in the other enzymes. Capillarization as measured by the number of capillaries per cross-sectional area (CC/FA) was increased (P less than 0.05) in both type I (0.94 +/- 0.8 vs. 1.16 +/- 0.05) and type II (0.84 +/- 0.07 vs. 1.05 +/- 0.08) fibers between SL-1 and SL-2. This increase was mediated by a reduction in fiber area. No changes were found in fiber-type distribution (type I vs. type II). These findings do not support the hypothesis, at least in humans, that, at the level of the muscle cell, extreme hypobaric hypoxia elicits adaptations directed toward maximizing oxidative function.


1996 ◽  
Vol 80 (5) ◽  
pp. 1547-1553 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. Adnet ◽  
H. Reyford ◽  
B. M. Tavernier ◽  
T. Etchrivi ◽  
I. Krivosic ◽  
...  

To determine whether a difference in fiber-type caffeine and Ca2+ sensitivities exists between human masseter and vastus lateralis skeletal muscle, we compared the fiber-type caffeine sensitivities in chemically skinned muscle fibers from 13 masseter and 18 vastus lateralis muscles. Caffeine sensitivity was defined as the threshold concentration inducing > 10% of the maximal tension obtained after the fiber was loaded with a 1.6 x 10(-2) mM Ca2+ solution for 30 s. Significant difference in the mean caffeine sensitivity was found between type I masseter fibers [2.57 +/- 1.32 (SD) mM] vs. type I (6.02 +/- 1.74 mM) and type II vastus lateralis fibers (11.25 +/- 3.13 mM). Maximal Ca(2+)-activated force per cross-sectional area was significantly different between masseter and vastus lateralis fibers. However, the Ca2+ concentration corresponding to half-maximal tension (pCa50) was not significantly different between type I masseter (pCa50 5.9 +/- 0.02) and type I vastus lateralis muscle (pCa50 6.01 +/- 0.08). These results suggest that the increase in caffeine sensitivity of masseter muscle reflects the presence of a low reactivity threshold of the sarcoplasmic reticulum.


1998 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 598-602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald T. Kirkendall ◽  
William E. Garrett

Aging results in a gradual loss of muscle function, and there are predictable age-related alterations in skeletal muscle function. The typical adult will lose muscle mass with age; the loss varies according to sex and the level of muscle activity. At the cellular level, muscles loose both cross-sectional area and fiber numbers, with type II muscle fibers being the most affected by aging. Some denervation of fibers may occur. The combination of these factors leads to an increased percentage of type I fibers in older adults. Metabolically, the glycolytic enzymes seem to be little affected by aging, but the aerobic enzymes appear to decline with age. Aged skeletal muscle produces less force and there is a general “slowing” of the mechanical characteristics of muscle. However, neither reduced muscle demand nor the subsequent loss of function is inevitable with aging. These losses can be minimized or even reversed with training. Endurance training can improve the aerobic capacity of muscle, and resistance training can improve central nervous system recruitment of muscle and increase muscle mass. Therefore, physical activity throughout life is encouraged to prevent much of the age-related impact on skeletal muscle.


2007 ◽  
Vol 103 (3) ◽  
pp. 932-940 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tertius A. Kohn ◽  
Birgitta Essén-Gustavsson ◽  
Kathryn H. Myburgh

Although East African black athletes dominate endurance running events, it is unknown whether black and white endurance runners with similar racing ability, matched for training, may differ in their skeletal muscle biochemical phenotype. Thirteen Xhosa (XR) and 13 Caucasian (CR) endurance runners were recruited and matched for 10-km performance, average preferred racing distance (PRDA), and training volume. Submaximal and maximal exercise tests were done, and vastus lateralis muscle biopsies were taken. XR were significantly lighter and shorter than CR athletes but had similar maximum oxygen consumption corrected for body weight and peak treadmill speed (PTS). XR had lower plasma lactate concentrations at 80% PTS ( P < 0.05) compared with CR. Also, XR had more type IIA (42.4 ± 9.2 vs. 31.3 ± 11.5%, P < 0.05) and less type I fibers (47.8 ± 10.9 vs. 63.1 ± 13.2%, P < 0.05), although oxidative enzyme activities did not differ. Furthermore, XR compared with CR had higher lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in homogenate muscle samples (383 ± 99 vs. 229 ± 85 μmol·min−1·g dry weight−1, P < 0.05) and in both type IIa ( P < 0.05) and type I ( P = 0.05) single-fiber pools. A marked difference ( P < 0.05) in the composition of LDH isoform content was found between the two groups with XR having higher levels of LDH5-4 isoforms (skeletal muscle isozymes; LDH-M) than CR, which was not accounted for by fiber-type differences alone. These results confirm differences in muscle phenotype and physiological characteristics, particularly associated with high-intensity running.


2014 ◽  
Vol 116 (12) ◽  
pp. 1582-1592 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damien M. Callahan ◽  
Nicholas G. Bedrin ◽  
Meenakumari Subramanian ◽  
James Berking ◽  
Philip A. Ades ◽  
...  

Age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and function is implicated in the development of disease and physical disability. However, little is known about how age affects skeletal muscle structure at the cellular and ultrastructural levels or how such alterations impact function. Thus we examined skeletal muscle structure at the tissue, cellular, and myofibrillar levels in young (21–35 yr) and older (65–75 yr) male and female volunteers, matched for habitual physical activity level. Older adults had smaller whole muscle tissue cross-sectional areas (CSAs) and mass. At the cellular level, older adults had reduced CSAs in myosin heavy chain II (MHC II) fibers, with no differences in MHC I fibers. In MHC II fibers, older men tended to have fewer fibers with large CSAs, while older women showed reduced fiber size across the CSA range. Older adults showed a decrease in intermyofibrillar mitochondrial size; however, the age effect was driven primarily by women (i.e., age by sex interaction effect). Mitochondrial size was inversely and directly related to isometric tension and myosin-actin cross-bridge kinetics, respectively. Notably, there were no intermyofibrillar or subsarcolemmal mitochondrial fractional content or myofilament ultrastructural differences in the activity-matched young and older adults. Collectively, our results indicate age-related reductions in whole muscle size do not vary by sex. However, age-related structural alterations at the cellular and subcellular levels are different between the sexes and may contribute to different functional phenotypes in ways that modulate sex-specific reductions in physical capacity with age.


2006 ◽  
Vol 100 (1) ◽  
pp. 178-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas A. Ryan ◽  
Kevin A. Zwetsloot ◽  
Lenna M. Westerkamp ◽  
Robert C. Hickner ◽  
Walter E. Pofahl ◽  
...  

Recently, we observed that muscle capillarization, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein, and the VEGF mRNA response to acute exercise were lower in aged compared with young women (Croley AN, Zwetsloot KA, Westerkamp LM, Ryan NA, Pendergast aged men, Hickner RC, Pofahl WE, and Gavin TP. J Appl Physiol 99: 1875–1882, 2005). We hypothesized that similar age-related differences in muscle capillarization and VEGF expression would exist between young and aged men. Skeletal muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis before and at 4 h after a submaximal exercise bout for the measurement of morphometry, capillarization, VEGF, KDR, and Flt-1 in seven aged (mean age 65 yr) and eight young (mean age 21 yr) sedentary men. In aged compared with young men, muscle capillary contacts and capillary-to-fiber perimeter exchange index were lower regardless of fiber type. Muscle VEGF mRNA and protein were lower in aged men both at rest and 4 h postexercise. Exercise increased muscle VEGF mRNA and protein and KDR mRNA independent of age group. There were no effects of exercise or age on muscle Flt-1 mRNA or protein or KDR protein. These results confirm that skeletal muscle capillarization and VEGF expression are lower in aged compared with young men.


2002 ◽  
Vol 50 (12) ◽  
pp. 1685-1692 ◽  
Author(s):  
John P. Mattson ◽  
Todd A. Miller ◽  
David C. Poole ◽  
Michael D. Delp

The hamster is a valuable biological model for physiological investigation. Despite the obvious importance of the integration of cardiorespiratory and muscular system function, little information is available regarding hamster muscle fiber type and oxidative capacity, both of which are key determinants of muscle function. The purpose of this investigation was to measure immunohistochemically the relative composition and size of muscle fibers composed of types I, IIA, IIX, and IIB fibers in hamster skeletal muscle. The oxidative capacity of each muscle was also assessed by measuring citrate synthase activity. Twenty-eight hindlimb, respiratory, and facial muscles or muscle parts from adult (144–147 g bw) male Syrian golden hamsters ( n=3) were dissected bilaterally, weighed, and frozen for immunohistochemical and biochemical analysis. Combining data from all 28 muscles analyzed, type I fibers made up 5% of the muscle mass, type IIA fibers 16%, type IIX fibers 39%, and type IIB fibers 40%. Mean fiber cross-sectional area across muscles was 1665 ± 328 μm2 for type I fibers, 1900 ± 417 μm2 for type IIA fibers, 3230 ± 784 μm2 for type IIX fibers, and 4171 ± 864 μm2 for type IIB fibers. Citrate synthase activity was most closely related to the population of type IIA fibers ( r=0.68, p<0.0001) and was in the rank order of type IIA > I > IIX > IIB. These data demonstrate that hamster skeletal muscle is predominantly composed of type IIB and IIX fibers.


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