Ageing, muscle properties and maximal O(2) uptake rate in humans.

This paper asks how the decline in maximal O(2) uptake rate (VO(2),max) with age is related to the properties of a key muscle group involved in physical activity - the quadriceps muscles. Maximal oxygen consumption on a cycle ergometer was examined in nine adult (mean age 38.8 years) and 39 elderly subjects (mean age 68.

Elderly persons' attitudes towards footwear--a factor in preventing falls.

Injuries from falls are the main cause of trauma morbidity that leads to mortality among the elderly. One prevention strategy is to wear sturdy shoes. This study was undertaken to determine the attitudes towards and use of sturdy shoes among older adults.

Age-related changes in anticipatory postural adjustments associated with arm movements.

This study investigated the effects of age on the feedforward activation of postural muscles in advance of reaction time arm movements. Fifteen young (mean age 26 years) and 15 older (mean age 71 years) adult subjects were instructed to rapidly push or pull on a hand-held manipulandum. Postural muscle response onset latencies of the lower leg were significantly increased in the older adult group in three of the four conditions when compared to the young adult group.

Response preparation and posture control. Neuromuscular changes in the older adult.

Experiments comparing the characteristics of neuromuscular responses underlying balance control in young and old adults have shown a number of differences between the two populations. Postural muscle response latencies of the ankle musculature activated by external threats to balance are slightly, but significantly, longer in the latter population. In addition, some aging subjects show a temporal reversal of proximal and distal muscle response onset in some trials.

Human embryonal cell carcinoma in nude mice.

A lymph node metastasis specimen from a human testicular embryonal carcinoma with elements of a choriocarcinoma was successfully xenotransplanted into nude mice and maintained until the tenth animal passage. Electron microscopy of the tumors in nude mice revealed details consistent with their epithelial origin. The xenotransplants retained the ability to synthesize human choriogonadotropic hormone during all animal passages, as evidenced by radioimmunoassay and immunoperoxidase staining techniques.