Post by John A. Casler on Sept 2, 2008 8:51:50 GMT -8
www.jssm.org/vol7/n3/10/v7n3-10text.php
The above link is an interesting study on "jumping" as we age.
The link will take you to the FULL article, the abstract is below.
THE KINETICS AND STIFFNESS CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LOWER EXTREMITY IN OLDER ADULTS DURING VERTICAL JUMPING
Li-I Wang
Department of Physical Education and Academic Paper Editing Clinic, National Hualien University of Education, Taiwan
Received 21 February 2008
Accepted 07 July 2008
Published 01 September 2008
© Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2008) 7, 379 - 386
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to examine the modulating effects of age on lower limb stiffness and net muscle joint activity degeneration when performing a functional activity involving SSC. Seven young males and seven older males were recruited as subjects for this study. A high-speed camera and a force plate were synchronized to collect the biomechanical parameters. The kinetic parameters were calculated with the inverse dynamics process. The stiffness of lower limbs was calculated with the spring-mass model. The Student's t-test was used to test the differences of two age groups. Statistical significance was set at á = 0.05. The present research showed that the older group produced a smaller peak net muscle joint moment at hip and knee. There were no differences in leg stiffness, hip stiffness, and ankle stiffness between the two age groups. Knee stiffness was smaller in the older group. In elderly adults, reduced muscle strength in the lower limbs, especially in the hip and knee, and reduced stiffness of the knee, influence the basic functions of human life and increase the risk of injury. Differences in lower extremity kinetics and stiffness in elderly adults during SSC movement may have implications for new preventive measures.
The above link is an interesting study on "jumping" as we age.
The link will take you to the FULL article, the abstract is below.
THE KINETICS AND STIFFNESS CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LOWER EXTREMITY IN OLDER ADULTS DURING VERTICAL JUMPING
Li-I Wang
Department of Physical Education and Academic Paper Editing Clinic, National Hualien University of Education, Taiwan
Received 21 February 2008
Accepted 07 July 2008
Published 01 September 2008
© Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2008) 7, 379 - 386
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to examine the modulating effects of age on lower limb stiffness and net muscle joint activity degeneration when performing a functional activity involving SSC. Seven young males and seven older males were recruited as subjects for this study. A high-speed camera and a force plate were synchronized to collect the biomechanical parameters. The kinetic parameters were calculated with the inverse dynamics process. The stiffness of lower limbs was calculated with the spring-mass model. The Student's t-test was used to test the differences of two age groups. Statistical significance was set at á = 0.05. The present research showed that the older group produced a smaller peak net muscle joint moment at hip and knee. There were no differences in leg stiffness, hip stiffness, and ankle stiffness between the two age groups. Knee stiffness was smaller in the older group. In elderly adults, reduced muscle strength in the lower limbs, especially in the hip and knee, and reduced stiffness of the knee, influence the basic functions of human life and increase the risk of injury. Differences in lower extremity kinetics and stiffness in elderly adults during SSC movement may have implications for new preventive measures.