The role of thigh muscular efforts in limiting sit-to-stand capacity in healthy young and older adults

Abstract

Aging is associated with an unavoidable decline in muscle mass, known as sarcopenia, leading to neuromuscular declines, muscle weakness, and subsequent disability. One particular measure utilized by rehabilitative professionals in evaluating functional declines in older persons is sit-to-stand (STS) capacity. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the role of activation intensity requirements of the thigh musculature in limiting a multi-joint STS endurance task. To do so, surface EMG signals of the quadriceps femoris (QF) and hamstrings (biceps femoris; BF) and their co-activation ratios (H:Q) were collected in young (18-35 years; n = 12) and older (60-75 years; n = 12) adult participants who repeatedly stood from a seated position until exhaustion. QF %MVIC was the sole predictor of total STS task times, as those who required the highest quadriceps efforts had the shortest task times. Moreover, older adult participants had significantly higher starting QF %MVIC as well as shorter task times. Interestingly, the H:Q ratio was not a significant predictor of STS capacities, nor did it differ between age groups or with fatigue. Results indicate that strengthening of the quadriceps to elevate or maintain strength reserves may improve an older adult's ability to perform multi-joint tasks repetitively throughout the day.

Older Compared With Younger Adults Performed 467 Fewer Sit-to-Stand Trials, Accompanied by Small Changes in Muscle Activation and Voluntary Force

“…Faster contractions are particularly difficult for older adults due to a selective loss in type 2 muscle fibers, and prolonged relaxation time (Vandervoort, 2002;Petrella et al, 2005). In contrast to our protocol, slower rSTS protocols (Bryanton and Bilodeau, 2017) progressively increased RMSamplitude first, followed by a decrease due to fatigability later (Dideriksen et al, 2010). A high seat decreases the mechanical load and muscle effort (i.e., ∼25% less quadriceps activation) and peak joint moments and angles (30% less at ankle and knee) (Hurley et al, 2016).…”

“…Rising from and sitting down in a chair is a demanding task, as it requires high levels of knee joint torques, substantial joint excursions, inter-joint coordination, and balance (Hortobágyi et al, 2003 ; Netz et al, 2004 ; Alcazar et al, 2018 ; Jeon et al, 2019 ). Decreases in muscle strength and posture control make it especially challenging for older adults to execute the sit-to-stand task (STS) (Hurley et al, 2016 ; Bryanton and Bilodeau, 2017 ). During the STS task, older adults, in particular, tend to strongly activate the knee (e.g., rectus femoris - RF, vastus lateralis - VL, biceps femoris - BF), ankle (e.g.…”

“…During the STS task, older adults, in particular, tend to strongly activate the knee (e.g., rectus femoris - RF, vastus lateralis - VL, biceps femoris - BF), ankle (e.g. tibialis anterior – TA, gastrocnemius - GAS), and hip muscles (e.g., gluteus medius - Glu) (Hortobágyi et al, 2003 ; Jang and Yoo, 2015 ; Bryanton and Bilodeau, 2017 , 2019 ; van der Kruk et al, 2021 ) to compensate the deficits in muscles strength (van der Kruk et al, 2021 ). The high mechanical load at the knee and the strong activation of the knee extensors may require some older adults to use up to 95% of the maximal capacity compared to 30–50% in younger adults (Hortobágyi et al, 2003 ; Bryanton and Bilodeau, 2017 , 2019 ).…”

“…tibialis anterior – TA, gastrocnemius - GAS), and hip muscles (e.g., gluteus medius - Glu) (Hortobágyi et al, 2003 ; Jang and Yoo, 2015 ; Bryanton and Bilodeau, 2017 , 2019 ; van der Kruk et al, 2021 ) to compensate the deficits in muscles strength (van der Kruk et al, 2021 ). The high mechanical load at the knee and the strong activation of the knee extensors may require some older adults to use up to 95% of the maximal capacity compared to 30–50% in younger adults (Hortobágyi et al, 2003 ; Bryanton and Bilodeau, 2017 , 2019 ). Presumably, the age-related atrophy necessitates the activation of a larger portion of the available motor units, resulting in over-activation (i.e., a greater than expected muscle activation observed in younger adults).…”

Comparison of vertical ground reaction forces between female elderly and young adults during sit-to-stand and gait using the Nintendo Wii Balance Board

“…In clinical practice, sit-to-stand (STS) and walking ability is assessed to determine the strength, balance, and level of movement of the elderly population [4,5]. The STS movement, which is mainly used in everyday life, can be used to evaluate the strength and coordination of the body and lower extremities [6,7]. Walking is also a necessary dynamic balancing ability for independent living, and it is also a key indicator for monitoring intervention effects in the clinical set-…”