aging; collagen; extracellular matrix; resting tension; single muscle fiber; skeletal muscle.

Alterations of Extracellular Matrix Mechanical Properties Contribute to Age-Related Functional Impairment of Human Skeletal Muscles

This study investigated why muscles become stiffer with age by comparing individual muscle fibers to bundles of fibers that include the extracellular matrix (ECM). Researchers found that while the stiffness of individua…