Obesity reduced specific muscle force and slowed force development and relaxation kinetics in mice, and impaired plantar flexor torque and contraction speed in obese men (p < 0.05).
Does obesity impair muscle force generation and contraction-relaxation dynamics in mice and humans?
Obesity impairs not only muscle force-generating capacity but also slows muscle contraction and relaxation kinetics, contributing to functional mobility deficits.
Abstract Obesity has been increasingly recognized not only as a metabolic disorder but also as a condition that impairs neuromuscular function, including strength relative to body mass. This translational study investigated whether obesity affects both force generation and contraction‐relaxation dynamics. In control (CN) and diet‐induced obese (OB) male mice, contractile properties of isolated extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus (SOL) muscles were assessed in vitro. In parallel, plantar flexor performance was assessed in 25 normal‐weight (CN) and 25 class I obese (OB) sedentary men through maximal voluntary isometric contractions and a dynamic calf raise test. OB mice exhibited lower specific force and slower rates of force development and relaxation in both EDL and SOL ( p < 0.05). In men, the lower rate of torque development and prolonged relaxation kinetics of the plantar flexors ( p < 0.05), combined with a higher body mass to maximal voluntary isometric torque ratio ( p < 0.05), contributed to slower calf raise phases in OB compared to CN men ( p < 0.05). These findings reveal that obesity not only has a negative impact on the muscle force generating capacity but also induces slower muscle contractile kinetics.
Cesanelli et al. (2026) studied this question. Obesity reduced specific muscle force and slowed force development and relaxation kinetics in mice, and impaired plantar flexor torque and contraction speed in obese men (p < 0.05).