The Functional and Anatomical Impacts of Healthy Muscle Ageing

Charles, James ORCID: 0000-0001-8256-8035 and Bates, Karl ORCID: 0000-0002-0048-141X (2023) The Functional and Anatomical Impacts of Healthy Muscle Ageing Biology, 12 (10). 1357-. ISSN 2079-7737, 2079-7737

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Abstract

Even “healthy” muscle ageing is often associated with substantial changes in muscle form and function and can lead to increased injury risks and significant negative impacts on quality of life. However, the impacts of healthy muscle ageing on the fibre architecture and microstructure of different muscles and muscle groups throughout the lower limb, and how these are related to their functional capabilities, are not fully understood. Here, a previously established framework of magnetic resonance and diffusion tensor imaging was used to measure the muscle volumes, intramuscular fat, fibre lengths and physiological cross-sectional areas of 12 lower limb muscles in a cohort of healthily aged individuals, which were compared to the same data from a young population. Maximum muscle forces were also measured from an isokinetic dynamometer. The more substantial interpopulation differences in architecture and functional performance were located within the knee extensor muscles, while the aged muscles were also more heterogeneous in muscle fibre type and atrophy. The relationships between architecture and muscle strength were also more significant in the knee extensors compared to other functional groups. These data highlight the importance of the knee extensors as a potential focus for interventions to negate the impacts of muscle ageing.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	diffusion tensor imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, muscle architecture
Divisions:	Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Life Courses & Medical Sciences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	23 Oct 2023 07:21
Last Modified:	28 Feb 2026 00:46
DOI:	10.3390/biology12101357
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12101357
Related Websites:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3175337
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