Unique Characteristics of Quadriceps Muscle Morphology and Function in Older Tennis Players

in Journal of Aging and Physical Activity

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Akito YoshikoFaculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Chukyo University, Aichi, Japan

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Moroe BeppuJapan Hip Joint Foundation, Tokyo, Japan

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Naoki ChosaDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan

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Kohei WatanabeSchool of Health and Sport Sciences, Chukyo University, Aichi, Japan
School of International Liberal Studies, Chukyo University, Aichi, Japan

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/japa.2021-0074
Keywords:
muscle thickness; echo intensity; muscle strength; quadriceps femoris
First Published Online:
27 Oct 2021
In Print:
Volume 30: Issue 4
Page Range:
697–704
Restricted access

We investigated the quadriceps muscle size and quantitative characteristics in older tennis players. Thirty-eight senior tennis players (70.8 ± 5.3 years) and 38 controls (71.6 ± 5.1 years) were included. To measure the muscle size and quality, we measured muscle thickness in the rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis, and vastus intermedius, and muscle echo intensity in the RF and vastus lateralis using B-mode transverse ultrasound, respectively. We measured knee extension peak torque for muscle function. Muscle thickness in the RF, vastus lateralis, and vastus intermedius were significantly larger in tennis players than in controls. Tennis players had a lower echo intensity in RF and a higher knee extension peak torque compared to controls. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis implied that echo intensity and muscle thickness were predictors of knee extension peak torque. Higher muscle quality contributes to a higher knee extension peak torque in tennis players. Playing tennis may prevent age-related muscle atrophy and maintain muscle quality in older individuals.

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