Aging effect on rate of force development of the abductor and adductors hip muscles

• Grant number: 16/19983-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2016
• End date: February 28, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Daniela Cristina Carvalho de Abreu
• Grantee: Júlia Adorno Fernandes
• Supervisor: Anthony Blazevich
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Edith Cowan University, Joondalup (ECU), Australia
• Associated to the scholarship: 15/05188-3 - Aging effect on rate of force development of the abductor and adductors hip muscles, BP.IC

Abstract

The aging process is marked by many changes in neuromuscular system which plays an essential role in muscle function and balance and diminish the explosive strength (the capacity of generate voluntary muscle strength in a short period of time after a resting or low situation) and consequently, affect the rate of force development (RFD). RFD is extremely important to quantify neuromuscular function and it seems to be a significant parameter in older adult population and that is why the better comprehension of RFD role in balance and muscle function might be essential to prevent falls in elderly. The weakness of abductor and adductor hip muscle may be a risk factor for falls. There are few scientists working with rate of force development, and nowadays there is a lack of information related to the subject either. Therefore, this project will be an asset to enhance the knowledge about RFD and also will be an excellent opportunity to analyse the data obtained through the project developed in Brazil. Hence, the aim of this study is to compare the RFD abductor adductors hip muscles among young people and elderly patients with and without a history of falls and also evaluate which range of RFD (initial or late) suffers biggest change with aging. The complex analyses will be performed in the laboratory of Professor Anthony J. Blazevich. The best way to accomplish them will be defined during the period of the internship. The data that will be analysed in the laboratory of the foreign institution will be on the RFD abductor adductors hip muscles already collected at Brazil, these being obtained through the isokinetic equipment Biodex - System 4 Pro (Boston/USA). The RFD was obtained from the curve time x torque. (AU)