Open AccessReduced Achilles Tendon Stiffness Disrupts Calf Muscle Neuromechanics in Elderly Gait
Author(s) -
Rebecca L. Krupenevich,
Owen N. Beck,
Gregory S. Sawicki,
Jason R. Franz
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
gerontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.397
H-Index - 94
eISSN - 1423-0003
pISSN - 0304-324X
DOI - 10.1159/000516910
Subject(s) - achilles tendon , ankle , metabolic cost , gait , physical medicine and rehabilitation , tendon , plantar flexion , medicine , muscle stiffness , energy expenditure , calf muscle , physical therapy , joint stiffness , gastrocnemius muscle , stiffness , anatomy , skeletal muscle , surgery , structural engineering , engineering
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.