Document Type
Article
Abstract
In this study we elucidate the interaction of physical activity with aging as regards skeletal muscle fiber distribution and size. Thirty-three male athletes and 42 normally active counterparts served as subjects. They were assigned to younger (<25.5 years) and older (>25.5 years) subgroups. Serial cross-sections from muscle biopsy samples (musculus vastus lateralis) were stained to distinguish fiber type: fast glycolytic (type IIb), fast oxidative-glycolytic (type Ha), or slow oxidative (type I). We also measured fiber diameters. A greater mean diameter of type I fibers was seen in older as opposed to younger athletes. Older controls had a smaller mean diameter of type IIb fibers than did younger controls. Athletes had a smaller mean percentage of type Ha fibers and a greater mean percentage of type I fibers than did controls. There was a greater mean percentage of type I fibers in older as opposed to younger controls, but this was not the case in athletes. Athletes may have larger fibers and a greater percentage of type I fibers at the expense of type Ha fibers. Atrophy of fibers with aging might be retarded by training, which might also reduce the age-associated rate of type IIb percentage loss and type I percentage gain.
Recommended Citation
Melichna, Jan; Zauner, Christian W.; Havlíčková, Ldenna; Novák, Jaroslav; Hill, David W.; and Colman, Randy J.
(1990)
"Morphologic Differences in Skeletal Muscle with Age in Normally Active Human Males and Their Well-Trained Counterparts,"
Human Biology:
Vol. 62:
Iss.
2, Article 3.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/humbiol/vol62/iss2/3
