Muscle-tendon behavior in eccentric exercise: active young vs active older adults
In this abstract, active young adults and active non- or pre-frail older adults showed no statistically significant differences in gastrocnemius medialis muscle-tendon behavior during eccentric exercise at maximal or submaximal intensity, on a dynamometer or in heel-drop exercise. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The study compared active young adults with active non- or pre-frail older adults while keeping physical activity levels comparable. [1]
Gastrocnemius medialis fascicle length and tendon strain were measured simultaneously with ultrasonography during eccentric exercises. [1]
No statistically significant between-group differences were found in muscle-tendon behavior, regardless of intensity or exercise condition (all p > 0.05). [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Abstract of a comparative study of muscle-tendon behavior during eccentric exercise.
- Population / context
- Active young adults and active non- or pre-frail older adults.
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- September 28, 2026
Age comparison in active adults during eccentric exercise
The study asked whether muscle-tendon behavior during eccentric actions differs with age. To keep physical activity comparable, it compared young and active older adults; the older group is described as active and non- or pre-frail. Eccentric exercise is widely used in rehabilitation for older adults, but how the muscle-tendon unit behaves with age was described as incompletely understood. The authors state that better characterization could help optimize rehabilitation protocols for older people.
Supporting source [1]
Ultrasound measures during dynamometer and heel-drop exercise
Fascicle length of the gastrocnemius medialis and tendon strain were measured simultaneously with ultrasonography during eccentric exercises. Ankle angle, ankle torque and muscle activation of the gastrocnemius medialis were also monitored. Exercises took place at maximal and submaximal intensities, under controlled conditions on an isokinetic dynamometer and during a typical home-based eccentric training exercise, the heel-drop.
Supporting source [1]
No significant group differences across all conditions
No statistically significant between-group differences in gastrocnemius medialis muscle-tendon behavior were found, regardless of intensity or condition (all p > 0.05). Specifically, tendon strain, fascicle length and fascicle velocity did not differ significantly between the groups. Achilles tendon stiffness also showed no significant difference (p > 0.05). The authors suggest that maintaining substantial physical activity with increasing age may mitigate aging effects on muscle-tendon behavior and interactions. This is an abstract; the full text was not reviewed.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
This is an abstract; the full text was not reviewed. The abstract reports no sample size or follow-up, and the suggested protective role of physical activity is an interpretation, not a demonstrated cause.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Lancelot J, Souron R, Chapelet G, Boureau AS, Demoy E, Rampal M, Piriou M, Cornu C, Crouzier M. · europepmc.org · September 28, 2026