Calf Muscle Endurance and Gait Variability among Older Adults

Older adults walk slower and with a higher metabolic energy expenditure than younger adults. In this review, we explore the hypothesis that age-related declines in Achilles tendon stiffness increase the metabolic cost of walking due to less economical calf muscle contractions and increased proximal joint work. This viewpoint may motivate interventions to restore ankle muscle-tendon stiffness, improve walking mechanics, and reduce metabolic cost in older adults.

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Lower extremity muscle quality and gait variability in older adults

Age and Ageing ◽

10.1093/ageing/afs032 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 41 (5) ◽

pp. 595-599 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

Sunghoon Shin ◽

Rudy J. Valentine ◽

Ellen M. Evans ◽

Jacob J. Sosnoff

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Lower Extremity ◽

Gait Variability ◽

Muscle Quality ◽

Lower Extremity Muscle

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Analysis of gait variability during a 6-min walk test in older adults

Gait & Posture ◽

10.1016/j.gaitpost.2014.04.022 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 39 ◽

pp. S14

Author(s):

E. Grimpampi ◽

S. Oesen ◽

B. Halper ◽

M. Hofmann ◽

B. Wessner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Gait Variability ◽

Walk Test

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Gait Variability and Fall Risk in Older Adults: The Role of Cognitive Function

Falls and Cognition in Older Persons ◽

10.1007/978-3-030-24233-6_7 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 107-138 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Frederico Pieruccini-Faria ◽

Manuel Montero-Odasso ◽

Jeffrey M. Hausdorff

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Fall Risk ◽

Gait Variability

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A pilot study of high-intensity interval training in older adults with treatment naïve chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-02352-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Grace MacDonald ◽

Andrea Sitlinger ◽

Michael A. Deal ◽

Erik D. Hanson ◽

Stephanie Ferraro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Aerobic Capacity ◽

High Intensity ◽

Nk Cell ◽

Interval Training ◽

Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Muscle Endurance ◽

High Intensity Interval Training ◽

Treatment Naïve ◽

High Intensity Interval

AbstractChronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common leukemia in the USA, affecting predominantly older adults. CLL is characterized by low physical fitness, reduced immunity, and increased risk of secondary malignancies and infections. One approach to improving CLL patients’ physical fitness and immune functions may be participation in a structured exercise program. The aims of this pilot study were to examine physical and immunological changes, and feasibility of a 12-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) combined with muscle endurance-based resistance training on older adults with treatment naïve CLL. We enrolled eighteen participants with CLL aged 64.9 ± 9.1 years and assigned them to groups depending on distance lived from our fitness center. Ten participants (4 M/6F) completed HIIT and six participants (4 M/2F) completed a non-exercising control group (Controls). HIIT consisted of three 30-min treadmill sessions/week plus two concurrent 30-min strength training sessions/week. Physical and immunological outcomes included aerobic capacity, muscle strength and endurance, and natural killer (NK) cell recognition and killing of tumor cells. We confirmed feasibility if > 70% of HIIT participants completed > 75% of prescribed sessions and prescribed minutes, and if > 80% of high-intensity intervals were at a heart rate corresponding to at least 80% of peak aerobic capacity (VO2peak). Results are presented as Hedge’s G effect sizes (g), with 0.2, 0.5 and 0.8 representing small, medium and large effects, respectively. Following HIIT, leg strength (g = 2.52), chest strength (g = 1.15) and seated row strength (g = 3.07) were 35.4%, 56.1% and 39.5% higher than Controls, respectively, while aerobic capacity was 3.8% lower (g = 0.49) than Controls. Similarly, following HIIT, in vitro NK-cell cytolytic activity against the K562 cell line (g = 1.43), OSU-CLL cell line (g = 0.95), and autologous B-cells (g = 1.30) were 20.3%, 3.0% and 14.6% higher than Controls, respectively. Feasibility was achieved, with HIIT completing 5.0 ± 0.2 sessions/week and 99 ± 3.6% of the prescribed minutes/week at heart rates corresponding to 89 ± 2.8% of VO2peak. We demonstrate that 12-weeks of supervised HIIT combined with muscle endurance-based resistance training is feasible, and that high adherence and compliance are associated with large effects on muscle strength and immune function in older adults with treatment naïve CLL.Trial registration: NCT04950452.

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EFFECT OF INTRA-ARTICULAR HYALURONIC ACID ON GAIT VARIABILITY IN OLDER ADULTS WITH KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society ◽

10.1111/j.1532-5415.2011.03375.x ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 59 (5) ◽

pp. 949-951 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Joseph DeCaria ◽

Robert Petrella ◽

Dalton Wolfe ◽

Bert M. Chesworth ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Hyaluronic Acid ◽

Knee Osteoarthritis ◽

Gait Variability

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MUSCLE STRENGTH AS A PREDICTOR OF GAIT VARIABILITY AFTER TWO YEARS IN COMMUNITY-LIVING OLDER ADULTS

Journal of Frailty & Aging ◽

10.14283/jfa.2019.24 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

B. Bogen ◽

R. Moe-Nilssen ◽

M.K. Aaslund ◽

A.H. Ranhoff

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Muscle Strength ◽

Inertial Sensors ◽

Cognitive Task ◽

Knee Extension ◽

Gait Variability ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Uneven Surface ◽

Fast Speed ◽

Z Scores

Background: Stride-to-stride fluctuations, or gait variability, can be captured easily using body worn inertial sensors. Previously, sensor-measured gait variability has been found to be associated with fall risk and central nervous changes. However, further research is needed to clarify the clinical relevance of this method. Objectives: In this study, we look at how gait variability is associated with muscle strength, measured two years earlier. Design, setting and participants: This is study of longitudinal associations. Participants were community-dwelling volunteers between 70-81 years. Measurements: Participants were tested while walking with a single sensor at their lower back, and they walked back and forth over a distance of 6.5 meters under four conditions: at preferred speed, at fast speed, with an added cognitive task, and while walking across an uneven surface. Gait variability in the anteroposterior (AP), mediolateral (ML) and vertical (V) directions was identified. A muscle strength score was composed by transforming hand grip strength, isometric knee extension strength and the 30 second chair rise-test to z-scores and adding them. Results: 56 individuals were analysed (mean age at baseline 75.8 (SD 3.43), 60 percent women). In a backwards regression method using age, gender and baseline walking speed as covariates, muscle strength predicted gait variability after two years for AP variability during preferred speed (Beta= .314, p=.025) and uneven surface walking (Beta=.326, p=.018). Further, muscle strength was associated with ML variability during preferred speed (Beta=.364, p=.048) and fast speed (Beta=.419, p=.042), and V variability during preferred speed (Beta=.402, p=.002), fast speed (Beta=.394, p=.004) and uneven surface walking (Beta=.369, p=.004). Conclusions: Sensor-measured gait variability tended to be associated with muscle strength measured two years earlier. This finding could emphasize the relevance of this relatively novel measure of gait in older adults for both research and clinical practice.

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Role of muscle power output as a mediator between gait variability and gait velocity in hospitalized older adults

Experimental Gerontology ◽

10.1016/j.exger.2019.110631 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 124 ◽

pp. 110631 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mikel L. Sáez de Asteasu ◽

Nicolás Martínez-Velilla ◽

Fabricio Zambom-Ferraresi ◽

Álvaro Casas-Herrero ◽

Robinson Ramirez-Vélez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Power Output ◽

Muscle Power ◽

Gait Variability ◽

Gait Velocity ◽

Hospitalized Older Adults ◽

Muscle Power Output

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Tendon Morphology and Mechanical Properties Are Associated With the Recovery of Symptoms and Function in Patients With Achilles Tendinopathy

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/2325967120917271 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 232596712091727

Author(s):

Patrick Corrigan ◽

Daniel H. Cortes ◽

Ryan T. Pohlig ◽

Karin Grävare Silbernagel

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Properties ◽

Shear Modulus ◽

Achilles Tendon ◽

Achilles Tendinopathy ◽

Calf Muscle ◽

Initial Assessment ◽

Muscle Endurance ◽

Patient Reported ◽

Morphology And Mechanical Properties

Background: Achilles tendinopathy is a debilitating overuse injury characterized by pain, altered Achilles tendon structure, and impaired functional performance. Evaluating tendon structure as part of the physical examination may help establish a well-defined prognosis. However, the usefulness of measuring tendon structure for developing a prognosis has been questioned since structural abnormalities can exist without symptoms. Purpose: To determine whether initial measures of tendon morphology and mechanical properties were associated with patient-reported symptoms and calf muscle endurance at baseline, 6-month follow-up, and 1-year follow-up by prospectively following a cohort of individuals with Achilles tendinopathy. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: A total of 59 participants with midportion or insertional Achilles tendinopathy completed an initial assessment and follow-up assessments at 6 months and 1 year. At the initial assessment, patient-reported symptoms, calf muscle endurance, and Achilles tendon thickening were evaluated, and Achilles tendon mechanical properties were estimated. At the 6-month and 1-year follow-up assessments, patient-reported symptoms and calf muscle endurance were reevaluated. Results: Greater Achilles tendon thickening at the initial assessment was consistently associated with worse patient-reported symptoms and calf muscle endurance at each assessment. Changes in symptoms over the year were moderated by the initial shear modulus of the tendon, with a lower shear modulus associated with less improvement in symptoms. Lower viscosity at the initial assessment was also associated with worse calf muscle endurance at each assessment. Conclusion: Measures of tendon morphology and mechanical properties appear to be associated with patient-reported symptoms and calf muscle function for patients with Achilles tendinopathy.

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