Abstract #4022
Phase-contrast MR imaging reveals age-associated differences in plantarflexor fascicle and aponeurosis behavior in isometric contractions
Robert Csapo 1 , Vadim Malis 2 , John Hodgson 1 , and Shantanu Sinha 1
1
Radiology, University of California at San
Diego, San Diego, CA, United States,
2
Physics,
San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, United States
Plantarflexor musculo-tendinous tissue dynamics was
compared by velocity-encoded phase contrast MRI in young
(YW) and senior (SW) women cohorts. Submaximal,
isometric contraction was associated with gastrocnemius
medialis fascicle shortening and increases in pennation
angles, with the effects being significantly larger in
SW, in spite of greater Achilles tendon elasticity
measured. Strains along superficial and deep aponeurosis
were not significantly different between groups but
displayed substantial, regional heterogeneity. These
findings argue against a serial alignment of contractile
and connective tissues and suggest that factors other
than tendon compliance influence the age-dependent MSK
dynamics resulting in large decrease of force in
seniors.
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