Human Neuromuscular Function in Older Age: in vivo studies of sarcopenia and frailty
McPhee, J
Manchester Metropolitan University (Manchester, UK)
Human ageing can be characterised by progressively declining skeletal muscle mass, maximal muscle force and associated physical function which develop into sarcopenia and contribute to physical frailty in old age. This talk will describe the use of intramuscular electromyography and other techniques to study motor unit changes during healthy human ageing and in the context of sarcopenia and frailty. The results of recent studies of older masters athletes will also be presented to understand whether life long physical activity may offer any protection from the motor unit changes that occur during normal ageing.