Effets aigus de la préactivation musculaire du quadriceps sur la performance dans le test assis-debout chez des sujets âgés

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to explore the effects of muscular preactivation of the quadriceps on the performance in the sit-to-stand test (5 times) in a group of elderly subjects. Methods and results: The performance in the sit-tostand test (5 times) was measured in 21 elderly subjects (age > 65 years) who can independently perform the sit-to-stand test. These measurements were taken without preactivation and right after (TO), 2 minutes after (T2), 4 minutes after (T4) and 8 minutes after (T8) 4 explosive concentric contractions of the quadriceps at 40% of the maximal strength (1RM of the leg extension). The results of this study showed that the test durations were significantly lower after muscular preactivation at all the times TO (p<0.05), T2 (p<0.001), T4 (p<0.001), T8(p<0.001). Conclusion: This study suggests that, in elderly subjects, the use of conditioning contractions of the quadriceps may enhance performance in the sit-to-stand test.