Krupenevich RL, Beck ON, Sawicki GS, Franz JR. Reduced Achilles Tendon Stiffness Disrupts Calf Muscle Neuromechanics in Elderly Gait.
Gerontology 2022;
68:241-251. [PMID:
34274923 PMCID:
PMC8761229 DOI:
10.1159/000516910]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Older adults walk slower and with a higher metabolic energy expenditure than younger adults. In this review, we explore the hypothesis that age-related declines in Achilles tendon stiffness increase the metabolic cost of walking due to less economical calf muscle contractions and increased proximal joint work. This viewpoint may motivate interventions to restore ankle muscle-tendon stiffness, improve walking mechanics, and reduce metabolic cost in older adults.
Collapse