Isokinetic Peak Torque and Cross-Sectional Area of the Quadriceps

This study aimed to examine the effects of age on hip flexion maximal and rapid strength and rectus femoris (RF) muscle size and composition in men. Fifteen young (25 [3] y) and 15 older (73 [4] y) men performed isometric hip flexion contractions to examine peak torque and absolute and normalized rate of torque development (RTD) at time intervals of 0 to 100 and 100 to 200 milliseconds. Ultrasonography was used to examine RF muscle cross-sectional area and echo intensity. Peak torque, absolute RTD at 0 to 100 milliseconds, and absolute and normalized RTD at 100 to 200 milliseconds were significantly lower (P = .004–.045) in the old compared with the young men. The older men exhibited lower cross-sectional area (P = .015) and higher echo intensity (P = .007) than the young men. Moreover, there were positive relationships between cross-sectional area and absolute RTD at 0 to 100 milliseconds (r = .400) and absolute RTD at 100 to 200 milliseconds (r = .450) and negative relationships between echo intensity and absolute RTD at 100 to 200 milliseconds (r = −.457) and normalized RTD at 100 to 200 milliseconds (r = −.373). These findings indicate that hip flexion maximal and rapid strength and RF muscle size and composition decrease in old age. The relationships observed between ultrasound-derived RF parameters and measurements of RTD suggest that these age-related declines in muscle size and composition may be relevant to hip flexion rapid torque production.

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Peak torque per unit cross-sectional area differs between strength-trained and untrained young adults

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ◽

10.1249/00005768-199503000-00016 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 27 (3) ◽

pp. 397???403 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

MICHAEL J. CASTRO ◽

DANIEL J. McCANN ◽

JAMES D. SHAFFRATH ◽

WILLIAM C. ADAMS

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Peak Torque ◽

Cross Sectional Area ◽

Sectional Area ◽

Cross Sectional

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Relationship Between Calf Muscle Size and Strength after Achilles Rupture Repair

Foot & Ankle International ◽

10.1177/107110070002100410 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 21 (4) ◽

pp. 330-335 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

J. Leppilahti ◽

S. Lähde ◽

K. Forsman ◽

J. Kangas ◽

K. Kauranen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plantar Flexion ◽

Achilles Tendon Rupture ◽

Peak Torque ◽

Cross Sectional Area ◽

Calf Muscle ◽

Muscle Size ◽

Sectional Area ◽

Unaffected Side ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Muscle Cross Sectional Area

The object was to study the relationships between calf muscle size and strength in 85 patients an average of 3.1 years after repair of achilles tendon rupture. The isokinetic calf muscle strength results were excellent or good for 73 % of the patients, whereas calf muscle size was normal in only 30 %. The average plantar flexion peak torque per unit muscle cross-sectional area was higher on the injured side than on the uninjured side. The average calf muscle cross-sectional area deficit was 15±9% (p<0.001) of that on the unaffected side, while the average plantar flexion peak torque deficit was speed-dependent, being 9±18%, 10±18 and 2±13% of that on the unaffected side at 30, 90, and 2407sec (p<0.001). The correlation between cross-sectional area and peak torque varied in the range 0.52–0.61 at 30, 90 and 2407sec (p<0.001).

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