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- Title
The effects of squat training, using body weight, on the stiffness of tendon structures of the vastus lateralis muscle in middle-aged and older women.
- Authors
Kanehisa, Hiroaki; Kubo, Keitaro; Fukunaga, Tetsuo
- Abstract
Purpose: The effect of a 6-month squat training programme using body weight on the stiffness of tendon structures of the vastus lateralis muscle in middle-aged and elderly women (n=10, 48.3 ± 10.8 yr) was investigated. Methods: The elongation of the tendon structures of the vastus lateralis muscle was measured using ultrasonography, while the subjects performed a ramp isometric knee extension up to the voluntary maximum (MVC). The relationship between the muscle force estimate and tendon elongation during the ascending phase was shown as a linear regression, the slope of which was defined as stiffness. The mechanical power during movement specific to maximal walking (WP) was determined using a non-motorised treadmill. Results: The squat exercise produced no significant changes in stiffness and WP. Among the subjects, however, there was a large inter-individual difference in the relative change of stiffness (i.e. -47.6 % to 124.3%). Regression analyses indicated that the subjects with a low initial level of stiffness and high body weight relative to MVC torque showed an increase in their stiffness values. Moreover, there was a significant correlation between the relative changes of stiffness and WP (r=0.846, p<0.05). Conclusion: For middle-aged and older women, (1) the effect of body weight resistance training on the stiffness of tendon structures of the vastus lateralis muscle partially depended on the initial level and the magnitude of body weight as a training stimulus, and (2) the training-induced change in stiffness influenced that in the mechanical power developed during maximal walking.
- Subjects
ULTRASONIC imaging; OLDER people; EXERCISE; OCCUPATIONAL training; JOINTS (Anatomy)
- Publication
International SportMed Journal, 2004, Vol 5, Issue 4, p277
- ISSN
1528-3356
- Publication type
Article