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Physiology and biochemistry

Full characterisation of knee extensors’ function in ageing: effect of sex and obesity

International Journal of Obesity volume 45, pages 895–905 (2021)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/Objectives

Muscle function is a marker of current and prospective health/independence throughout life. The effects of sex and obesity (OB) on the loss of muscle function in ageing remain unresolved, with important implications for the diagnosis/monitoring of sarcopenia. To characterise in vivo knee extensors’ function, we compared muscles torque and power with isometric and isokinetic tests in older men (M) and women (W), with normal range (NW) of body mass index (BMI) and OB.

Subjects/Methods

In 70 sedentary older M and W (69 ± 5 years), NW and OB (i.e. BMI < 30 kg m−2 and ≥30 kg m−2, respectively) we tested the right knee’s extensor: (i) isometric torque at 30°, 60°, 75° and 90° knee angles, and (ii) isokinetic concentric torque at 60, 90, 150, 180 and 210° s−1 angular speeds. Maximal isometric T–angle, maximal isokinetic knee-extensor torque–velocity, theoretical maximal shortening velocity, maximal power, optimal torque and velocity were determined in absolute units, normalised by body mass (BM) and right leg lean mass (LLMR) and compared over sex, BMI categories and angle or angular speeds by three-way ANOVA.

Results

In absolute units, relative to BM and LLMR, sex differences were found in favour of M for all parameters of muscle function (main effect for sex, p < 0.05). OB did not affect either absolute or relative to LLMR isometric and isokinetic muscle function (main effect for BMI, p > 0.05); however, muscle function indices, when adjusted for BM, were lower in both M and W with OB compared to NW counterparts (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

We confirmed sex differences in absolute, relative to BM and LLMR muscle function in favour of men. While overall muscle function and muscle contractile quality is conserved in individuals with class I OB, muscle function normalised for BM, which defines the ability to perform independently and safely the activities of daily living, is impaired in comparison with physiological ageing.

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Fig. 1: Knee extensors’ function curves.
Fig. 2: Isometric and isokinetic values in absolute units.
Fig. 3: Isometric and isokinetic values relative to body mass.
Fig. 4: Isometric and isokinetic values relative to lean mass.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to all the participants.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy

    Valentina Muollo

  2. Department of Medicine, Section of Geriatrics, Healthy Aging Center Verona, Verona, Italy

    Andrea P. Rossi & Mauro Zamboni

  3. Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy

    Andrea Zignoli

  4. Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, Verona, Italy

    Massimo Teso, Chiara Milanese, Valentina Cavedon, Federico Schena, Carlo Capelli & Silvia Pogliaghi

  5. Sport Mountain and Health Research Center (CeRiSM), University of Verona, Rovereto, Italy

    Federico Schena

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Muollo, V., Rossi, A.P., Zignoli, A. et al. Full characterisation of knee extensors’ function in ageing: effect of sex and obesity. Int J Obes 45, 895–905 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-021-00755-z

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