Universität zu Köln

Epro, Gaspar ORCID: 0000-0002-7241-1533, McCrum, Christopher ORCID: 0000-0002-4927-1114, Mierau, Andreas ORCID: 0000-0002-6305-3260, Leyendecker, Michael, Brueggemann, Gert-Peter and Karamanidis, Kiros (2018). Effects of triceps surae muscle strength and tendon stiffness on the reactive dynamic stability and adaptability of older female adults during perturbed walking. J. Appl. Physiol., 124 (6). S. 1541 - 1550. BETHESDA: AMER PHYSIOLOGICAL SOC. ISSN 1522-1601

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Abstract

This study aimed to examine whether the triceps surae (TS) muscle-tendon unit (MTU) mechanical properties affect gait stability and its reactive adaptation potential to repeated perturbation exposure in older adults. Thirty-four older adults each experienced eight separate unexpected perturbations during treadmill walking, while a motion capture system was used to determine the margin of stability (MoS) and base of support (BoS). Ankle plantar flexor muscle strength and Achilles tendon (AT) stiffness were analyzed using ultrasonography and dynamometry. A median split and separation boundaries classified the subjects into two groups with GroupStrong (n = 10) showing higher ankle plantar flexor muscle strength (2.26 +/- 0.17 vs. 1.47 +/- 0.20 N center dot m/kg, means +/- SD: P < 0.001) and AT stiffness (544 +/- 75 vs. 429 +/- 86 N/mm; P = 0.004) than GroupWeak in = 12). The first perturbation caused a negative Delta MoS (MoS in relation to unperturbed baseline walking) at touchdown of perturbed step (Pert(R)), indicating an unstable position. GroupStrong required four recovery steps to return to Delta MoS zero level, whereas GroupWeak was unable to return to baseline within the analyzed steps. However, after repeated perturbations, both groups increased Delta MoS at touchdown of Pert(R) with a similar magnitude. Significant correlations between Delta BoS and Delta MoS at touchdown of the first recovery step and TS MTU capacities (0.41 < r < 0.57: 0.006 < P < 0.048) were found. We conclude that older adults with TS muscle weakness have a diminished ability to control gait stability during unexpected perturbations, increasing their fall risk, but that degeneration in muscle strength and tendon stiffness may not inhibit the ability of the locomotor system to adapt the reactive motor response to repeated perturbations. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Triceps surae muscle weakness and a more compliant Achilles tendon partly limit older adults' ability to effectively enlarge the base of support and recover dynamic stability after an unexpected perturbation during walking, increasing their fail risk. However, the degeneration in muscle strength and tendon stiffness may not inhibit the ability of the locomotor system to adapt the reactive motor response to repeated perturbations.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Epro, Gaspar UNSPECIFIED orcid.org/0000-0002-7241-1533 UNSPECIFIED McCrum, Christopher UNSPECIFIED orcid.org/0000-0002-4927-1114 UNSPECIFIED Mierau, Andreas UNSPECIFIED orcid.org/0000-0002-6305-3260 UNSPECIFIED Leyendecker, Michael UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Brueggemann, Gert-Peter UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Karamanidis, Kiros UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-183434
DOI:	10.1152/japplphysiol.00545.2017
Journal or Publication Title:	J. Appl. Physiol.
Volume:	124
Number:	6
Page Range:	S. 1541 - 1550
Date:	2018
Publisher:	AMER PHYSIOLOGICAL SOC
Place of Publication:	BETHESDA
ISSN:	1522-1601
Language:	English
Faculty:	Unspecified
Divisions:	Unspecified
Subjects:	no entry
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language ACHILLES-TENDON; MORPHOLOGICAL PROPERTIES; LOCOMOTOR STABILITY; SUPPORT LIMB; YOUNG-ADULTS; FALLS; RECOVERY; ADAPTATIONS; BALANCE; RESPONSES Multiple languages Physiology; Sport Sciences Multiple languages
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/18343