Calf muscle strength in former elite distance runners

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Abstract
The purpose of this investigation was to examine calf muscle strength and cross‐sectional area in 29 middle‐aged men (current mean=48.4±3.1 years) who had significant differences in their physical activity levels. These men were initially evaluated to determine the physiological requirements for successful distance running in the late 1960s at a time when they were all considered elite distance runners. Based on their training regimens in the interim between testing, subjects were described as highly trained (HI; n=10), fitness trained (FIT; n=12), or untrained (UT; n=7). In addition, an aged‐matched sedentary group (CON; n=7) was tested. Each subject was evaluated for Vo2max plantar flexion calf muscle strength and cross‐sectional area (CSA) of the lower leg (gastrocnemius and soleus). Muscle CSA was determined by computed tomography, whereas calf strength measurements were made using a specially designed leg restraint system and an isokinetic dynamometer. There were no significant differences in plantar flexion strength (at 60 and 180°/s) or CSA of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles among the groups. Calf muscle strength per CSA was also similar at both test velocities for all groups. These data demonstrate that middle‐aged distance runners who have continued to run at a relatively high level for 20–25 years have similar calf muscle CSA and strength compared with aged‐matched males who run significantly less or not at all.

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