Age-related effects on maximal and rapid hamstrings/quadriceps strength capacities and vertical jump power in young and older females

Abstract

The higher RTD200 H/Q ratio for the older females may contribute to the muscle power deficits often observed in elderly populations. Practitioners may use these findings to help identify older adults with low muscle power capacities and possibly overall functional decline.

Alternative Methods of Determining Hamstrings-to-Quadriceps Ratios: a Comprehensive Review

“…Although no difference was found for RTD H:Q ratio interval times between 50 and 200 ms, the authors suggested caution to interpret these results in athletes with ACL reconstruction, as ligament injury may lead to quadriceps strength loss, inflating the RTD H:Q ratio. Similar results have been found in elderly women, who have been found to have a greater RTD H:Q ratio at 0–200 ms compared to young women (0.85 ± 0.25 vs. 0.62 ± 0.22) as a result of a greater age-related reduction in quadriceps than hamstrings RTD [43]. Since elderly women also demonstrated lower vertical jump power, a very high RTD H:Q ratio may actually reduce functional performance.…”

“…There was no correlation between ratiosHannah et al 2014 [41]To compare isometric H:Q ratio and RTD H:Q ratio20 untrained malesIsometric H:Q ratio and RTD H:Q ratio at time intervals of 25, 50, 75, 100, and 150 ms of force onsetRTD H:Q ratio was lower than isometric H:Q ratioHannah et al 2015 [30]To investigate sex differences on isometric H:Q ratio and RTD H:Q ratio40 untrained adults (20 males and 20 female)Isometric H:Q ratio and RTD H:Q ratio calculated at time intervals of 25, 50, 75, 100, and 150 ms of force onsetIsometric H:Q ratio was greater in males than females. RTD H:Q ratio was similar between sexes at each time pointJordan et al 2015 [42]To investigate RTD H:Q ratio in elite ski racers29 elite alpine ski racers (13 males and 8 females uninjured and 3 males and 5 females with ACL reconstruction)RTD H:Q ratio calculated at time intervals of 0–50, 0–100, 0–150, and 0–200 msElite alpine ski racers with ACL reconstruction had greater RTD H:Q ratio at 0-50 ms compared to uninjured counterpartsPalmer et al 2017 [43]To examine the effects of age on isometric H:Q ratio and RTD H:Q ratio15 young and 15 older womenIsometric H:Q ratio and RTD H:Q ratio at time intervals of 0–30 and 0–200 msOlder women had greater RTD H:Q ratio at 0–200 ms compared to young womenGreco et al 2013 [40]To investigate the effect of a fatiguing soccer-specific exercise on H:Q ratio (CR and FR) and RTD H:Q ratio22 male professional soccer playersPT H:Q ratio at 180°/s and RTD H:Q ratio at time intervals of 0–50 and 0–100 msThe fatiguing soccer-specific exercise led to lower PT H:Q ratio, but there was no effect on RTD H:Q ratioThorlund et al 2008 [44]To investigate the effect of a simulated handball match on isometric H:Q ratio and RTD H:Q ratio10 male elite handball playersIsometric, and RTD and RTD impulse H:Q ratios at time intervals of 30, 50, 100, and 200 of force onsetThe simulated handball match did not lead to changes on isometric H:Q ratio, but RTD and RTD impulse H:Q ratios increased at 0–30 msFI H:Q ratioPinto et al 2018 [52]To investigate the influence of neuromuscular fatigue on PT H:Q ratio (CR) and the association between FI H:Q ratio and PT H:Q ratio35 male elite professional soccer playersPT H:Q ratio and FI H:Q ratio at 300°/sFI H:Q ratio was greater and weakly correlated to PT H:Q ratio. PT H:Q ratio only declined in the last three repetitions of the fatigue test, which was strongly correlated to hamstring torque decreases, but weakly correlated to quadriceps torque decreasesCosta et al 2018 [51]To investigate the effect of hamstrings stretching and fatigue on H:Q ratio (CR) and FI H:Q ratio35 healthy adults (17 females and 18 males)PT H:Q ratio and FI H:Q ratio at 180°/sThere was no effect of combined...…”

Early and late rapid torque characteristics and select physiological correlates in middle-aged and older males

“…Regardless of the onset value, the use of an automated onset is limited in its ability to capture initial torque production (i.e., 20-30 ms) [34], although it is important to note that the torque onset used in the present study, when calculated as a percentage of PT, was not different between groups. Nevertheless, few studies have specifically examined age-related changes in early and late rapid torque parameters [6,12,18,19], and while some findings are in disagreement [6], other reports in conjunction with the present findings suggest that rapid torque production during the late phase of muscle contraction, in particular, may be most dramatically affected by aging [12,18,19]. Considering the unique physiological factors influencing early and late rapid torque production [14,16], this hypothesis warrants further investigation as it could prove insightful for identifying optimal interventions.…”

“…Other structural factors influencing RTD include tendon stiffness [17] and pennation angle [12], both of which are negatively affected by age. The majority of studies reporting on age-related changes in rapid torque measures at early and late time intervals examined the knee extensors [11,[18][19][20]. To the best of our knowledge, only two studies have assessed the plantar flexors (PFs) [6,12] and the findings for early RTD were equivocal.…”

Vertical jump test assessment in non-athlete adults: Systematic review

“…These results also support the former concept from Bosco & Komi, (1980) were the best results -peak performance -in the variables mean strength, centre of gravity height, impulse and power, were seen in both genders between the ages of 20 and 30 years old. From the age of 30 and more, the performance tends to decrease with the maturation and aging processes that affect the muscle elastic behaviour and its reflex power (Palmer, T., Followay, B., Thompson, B., 2017).…”