The effect of muscular strength on the development of mechanical plasticity in old adults / by Patrick M. Rider.
| Author/creator | Rider, Patrick M. author. |
| Other author | DeVita, Paul, 1955- degree supervisor. |
| Other author | East Carolina University. Department of Exercise and Sport Science. |
| Format | Theses and dissertations |
| Production | 2007. |
| Description | 43 leaves : illustrations, forms ; 28 cm |
| Supplemental Content | Access via ScholarShip |
| Subjects |
| Summary | Mechanical plasticity in locomotion has been associated with age such that old vs. young adults use more hip extensor torque, less knee extensor torque, and less ankle plantar flexor torque while walking. Old adults however are weaker than young adults and this systematic difference allows for the hypothesis that a lack of strength and not increased age is related to the development of this mechanical plasticity in locomotion, because strength has been related to functional ability in old adults. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of age & strength on lower limb joint torques and powers during walking at 1.5 m/sec. 32 old (70 - 85 yrs.) and 32 young (18-25 yrs.) adults were tested isokinetically for lower limb strength and with three dimensional gait analysis for joint torques while walking. Subjects were grouped by age (young and old) & strength (16 strongest and 16 weakest per age group). Angular impulses from the joint torques were analyzed with two-factor ANOVAs and direct comparisons between specific cells using p < 0.05. The data shows old vs. young adults walked with 55% more hip torque and 59% less knee torque (both p< 0.05). Old vs. young adults also perform 31% more positive hip work, 39% less negative knee work, and 18% less positive ankle work. Strong adults however, walked with similar joint torques as weak adults despite the 44% strength deficit between groups (p < 0.050). Strong-old and weak-young adults were similar in terms of strength index scores (39.3 and 45.5 respectively). Despite this similarity, strong-old vs. weak-young adults had 23% more hip extensor angular impulse and 39% less knee extensor angular impulse (both p< 0.050). The data refute the alternative hypothesis and suggest that age but not lower extremity strength is associated with the development of mechanical plasticity in locomotion exhibited by old adults. |
| General note | Presented to the faculty of the Department of Exercise and Sport Science. |
| General note | Advisor: Paul DeVita |
| Dissertation note | M.A. East Carolina University 2007 |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 36-39). |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Thèses et écrits académiques. |
Availability
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| Joyner | University Archives | ASK AT SPECIAL COLLECTIONS DESK | ✔ Available | Request Material |
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