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JOURNAL
OF
SPORTS SCIENCE &
MEDICINE
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Research
article
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THE KINETICS AND STIFFNESS CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LOWER EXTREMITY IN OLDER ADULTS DURING VERTICAL JUMPING |
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Li-I Wang  |
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Department of Physical Education and Academic Paper Editing Clinic, National Hualien University of Education, Taiwan |
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© Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2008) 7, 379 - 386 Search Google Scholar for Citing Articles |
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| ABSTRACT | |||
| The purpose of this study was to examine the modulating effects
of age on lower limb stiffness and net muscle joint activity degeneration
when performing a functional activity involving SSC. Seven young males and
seven older males were recruited as subjects for this study. A high-speed
camera and a force plate were synchronized to collect the biomechanical
parameters. The kinetic parameters were calculated with the inverse dynamics
process. The stiffness of lower limbs was calculated with the spring-mass
model. The Student's t-test was used to test the differences of two age
groups. Statistical significance was set at α = 0.05. The present research
showed that the older group produced a smaller peak net muscle joint moment
at hip and knee. There were no differences in leg stiffness, hip stiffness,
and ankle stiffness between the two age groups. Knee stiffness was smaller
in the older group. In elderly adults, reduced muscle strength in the lower
limbs, especially in the hip and knee, and reduced stiffness of the knee,
influence the basic functions of human life and increase the risk of injury.
Differences in lower extremity kinetics and stiffness in elderly adults
during SSC movement may have implications for new preventive measures.
Key words:Aging, biomechanics, inverse dynamic, spring-mass model. |
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