Active leg stiffness and energy stored in the muscles during maximal counter movement jump in the aged

Yu Liu*, Chien Hua Peng, Shun Hwa Wei, Jung Chun Chi, Feng Ren Tsai, Jia Yean Chen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

51 Scopus citations

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of age on active leg stiffness adjustment, electromyogram (EMG) activities and energy stored during eccentric and concentric phases in performing a maximal functional task involving stretch-shorten cycle. Ten young (24.3 ± 2 years) and 10 old (68.6 ± 5 years) healthy male subjects were filmed during maximal performance of counter movement jump (CMJ) and squat jump (SJ) on force plate. Integrated EMG (IEMG), ground reaction force (GRF), active leg stiffness, energy stored/returned and active work done by the muscles were compared between two groups on eccentric (ECC) and concentric (CON) phases of CMJ. The GRF, leg stiffness and energy stored in ECC and GRF, IEMG, energy returned and active work in CON were less in the elderly (p < 0.05). These results demonstrate that the neuromuscular function of adjusting active stiffness, storing elastic energy and optimizing the performance may decrease with age during CMJ.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)342-351
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Electromyography and Kinesiology
Volume16
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2006

Keywords

  • Active leg stiffness
  • Aging
  • Counter-movement jump
  • Energy storage

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