School of Healthcare Science, John Dalton Building, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, M1 5GD, UK.
Biogerontology. 2013 Jun;14(3):325-37. doi: 10.1007/s10522-013-9434-7. Epub 2013 May 31.
Within the European multi-centre MyoAge project, one workpackage was designed to investigate the contribution of age-related changes to muscle mass, contractile characteristics and neural control in relation to reductions in mobility in older age. The methodology has been described here. Test centres were located in Manchester, UK; Paris, France; Leiden, The Netherlands; Tartu, Estonia and Jyväskylä, Finland. In total, 182 young (18-30 years old, 52.2 % female) and 322 older adults (69-81 years old, 50 % female) have been examined. The participants were independent living, socially active and free from disease that impaired mobility levels. The older participants were selected based on physical activity levels, such that half exceeded current recommended physical activity levels and the other half had lower physical activity levels than is recommended to maintain health. Measurements consisted of blood pressure; anthropometry and body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and magnetic resonance imaging); lung function; standing balance and cognitive function (CANTAB). Mobility was assessed using the Timed Up and Go, a 6 min walk, activity questionnaires and accelerometers to monitor habitual daily activities. Muscle strength, power, fatigue and neural activation were assessed using a combination of voluntary and electrically stimulated contractions. Fasting blood samples and skeletal muscle biopsies were collected for detailed examination of cell and molecular differences between young and older individuals. The results from this study will provide a detailed insight into "normal, healthy" ageing, linking whole-body function to the structure and function of the neuromuscular system and the molecular characteristics of skeletal muscle.
在欧洲多中心 MyoAge 项目中，设计了一个工作包，旨在研究与年龄相关的肌肉质量、收缩特性和神经控制变化与老年人活动能力下降之间的关系。这里描述了该方法。测试中心位于英国曼彻斯特、法国巴黎、荷兰莱顿、爱沙尼亚塔尔图和芬兰于韦斯屈莱。总共检查了 182 名年轻（18-30 岁，52.2%为女性）和 322 名老年人（69-81 岁，50%为女性）。参与者是独立生活、积极社交且没有影响活动能力水平的疾病。根据身体活动水平选择了老年人参与者，其中一半人的身体活动水平超过了当前推荐的身体活动水平，而另一半人的身体活动水平低于保持健康所需的水平。测量包括血压、人体测量学和身体成分（双能 X 射线吸收法和磁共振成像）、肺功能、站立平衡和认知功能（CANTAB）。使用计时起立行走、6 分钟步行、活动问卷和加速度计来评估活动能力，以监测日常习惯活动。使用组合的自愿和电刺激收缩来评估肌肉力量、功率、疲劳和神经激活。采集空腹血液样本和骨骼肌活检，以详细检查年轻和老年人之间的细胞和分子差异。这项研究的结果将深入了解“正常、健康”的衰老过程，将全身功能与神经肌肉系统的结构和功能以及骨骼肌的分子特征联系起来。
