open access

Vol 78, No 2 (2019)
Original article
Submitted: 2018-08-31
Accepted: 2018-10-08
Published online: 2018-10-19
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Age-related structural-mechanical property changes in human peroneus longus muscle

A. Niyomchan1, B. Panichareon1, A. Siriphorn2, T. Wongtawatchai3
·
Pubmed: 30371930
·
Folia Morphol 2019;78(2):401-407.
Affiliations
  1. Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
  2. Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
  3. Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand

open access

Vol 78, No 2 (2019)
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Submitted: 2018-08-31
Accepted: 2018-10-08
Published online: 2018-10-19

Abstract

Background: Functional impairment of the muscle-tendon unit is one of the most remarkable effects of aging. The function of the peroneus longus muscle is to stabilise the foot and ankle joint. A deterioration of the structural and mechanical properties of this muscle can potentially lead to foot problems in older adults. This study aimed to investigate the effects of age on structural, histological, and mechanical features in peroneus longus muscle samples taken from embalmed cadavers of two different age groups; young adult (30–60 years) and old adult (over 60 years).

Materials and methods: The mechanical property was analysed through the results of cross-sectional area, tensile, tensile stress, and modulus of elasticity. The arran- gement of the collagen in the perimysium and tendon was examined by scanning electron microscopy. Fatty infiltration within the musculotendinous junction was evaluated by Masson’ trichrome stained muscle sections. 

Results: This study thus provides evidence that there are indeed age-induced mechanical property changes in the peroneus longus muscle, which include reductions in the tensile force, tensile stress, and modulus of elasticity, and is related to the malformation of collagen fibrils and the massive fat accumulation in the musculotendinous junction. 

Conclusions: These alterations may further result in a reduction of muscle strength and quality in an older person. 

Abstract

Background: Functional impairment of the muscle-tendon unit is one of the most remarkable effects of aging. The function of the peroneus longus muscle is to stabilise the foot and ankle joint. A deterioration of the structural and mechanical properties of this muscle can potentially lead to foot problems in older adults. This study aimed to investigate the effects of age on structural, histological, and mechanical features in peroneus longus muscle samples taken from embalmed cadavers of two different age groups; young adult (30–60 years) and old adult (over 60 years).

Materials and methods: The mechanical property was analysed through the results of cross-sectional area, tensile, tensile stress, and modulus of elasticity. The arran- gement of the collagen in the perimysium and tendon was examined by scanning electron microscopy. Fatty infiltration within the musculotendinous junction was evaluated by Masson’ trichrome stained muscle sections. 

Results: This study thus provides evidence that there are indeed age-induced mechanical property changes in the peroneus longus muscle, which include reductions in the tensile force, tensile stress, and modulus of elasticity, and is related to the malformation of collagen fibrils and the massive fat accumulation in the musculotendinous junction. 

Conclusions: These alterations may further result in a reduction of muscle strength and quality in an older person. 

Get Citation

Keywords

aging; collagen; musculotendinous junction; tendon

About this article
Title

Age-related structural-mechanical property changes in human peroneus longus muscle

Journal

Folia Morphologica

Issue

Vol 78, No 2 (2019)

Article type

Original article

Pages

401-407

Published online

2018-10-19

Page views

2454

Article views/downloads

1432

DOI

10.5603/FM.a2018.0102

Pubmed

30371930

Bibliographic record

Folia Morphol 2019;78(2):401-407.

Keywords

aging
collagen
musculotendinous junction
tendon

Authors

A. Niyomchan
B. Panichareon
A. Siriphorn
T. Wongtawatchai

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