{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,23]],"date-time":"2026-10-23T19:50:54Z","timestamp":1792785054901,"version":"4.5.0"},"reference-count":36,"publisher":"Springer Science and Business Media LLC","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,13]],"date-time":"2026-07-13T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1783900800000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,14]],"date-time":"2026-10-14T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1791936000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":93,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"funder":[{"name":"European Commission","award":["Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctorate programme (2011-2015), grant number 2011-0015"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctorate programme (2011-2015), grant number 2011-0015"]}],"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/00k4n6c32","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"crossref"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":["link.springer.com"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Sci Rep"],"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:p>\n                    Sedentary behaviour is increasingly recognised as a distinct physiological risk factor in ageing; however, its relationship with intrinsic tendon properties and postural balance remains undefined. The objective of this study was to determine whether Sedentary Behaviour is independently associated with gastrocnemius medialis tendon properties and postural balance in older adults, after accounting for physical activity. Healthy older adults (\n                    <jats:italic>n<\/jats:italic>\n                    \u2009=\u2009105) completed this cross-sectional investigation. Habitual physical behaviour was quantified over 7 days using triaxial accelerometry. All participants subsequently underwent assessments of gastrocnemius medialis tendon mechanical, material, and morphological properties, with postural balance assessed in a representative subgroup (\n                    <jats:italic>n<\/jats:italic>\n                    \u2009=\u200945). Associations were examined using single and multiple linear regression, compositional data analysis, and isotemporal substitution models. Covariates were identified via univariate General Linear Model and entered using backward elimination prior to inclusion of behavioural predictors. Sedentary behaviour levels did not significantly predict gastrocnemius medialis tendon properties or balance outcomes in unadjusted models. Following covariate adjustment, Sedentary behaviour emerged as a significant negative predictor of eyes-open balance trial duration, representing the only independent SB-related effect across 18 outcome variables. Compositional analyses revealed significant model fits for multiple outcomes; however, these associations were substantially attenuated after covariate adjustment, suggesting no significant influence of Sedentary behaviour on gastrocnemius medialis tendon characteristics. Isotemporal substitution indicated small relative outcome changes (\u20130.71% to +\u20090.56%) following 10-minute behavioural reallocations. Although Sedentary behaviour pattern parameters were associated with select tendon and balance variables, most significant models were driven predominantly by covariates rather than Sedentary behaviour metrics. This study provides novel evidence that Sedentary behaviour is not independently associated with gastrocnemius medialis tendon structure and mechanics in older adults, yet is associated with poorer postural balance performance. These findings suggest that the association between Sedentary behaviour and postural balance is unlikely to be mediated by tendon degradation and instead implicate neural and motor control pathways as plausible mechanisms. Reducing sedentary time through increased physical activity may help mitigate balance deterioration and preserve functional independence with ageing.\n                  <\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-026-62015-2","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,13]],"date-time":"2026-07-13T17:26:23Z","timestamp":1783963583000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Sedentary behaviour is linked to impaired postural balance but not gastrocnemius medialis tendon properties in older adults"],"prefix":"10.1038","volume":"16","author":[{"given":"Jorgen A.","family":"Wullems","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Sabine M. P.","family":"Verschueren","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Hans","family":"Degens","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Christopher I.","family":"Morse","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1466-3265","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Gladys L.","family":"Onamb\u00e9l\u00e9-Pearson","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,13]]},"reference":[{"issue":"6","key":"62015_CR1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2048","DOI":"10.1152\/japplphysiol.01442.2005","volume":"100","author":"GL Onambele","year":"2006","unstructured":"Onambele, G. L., Narici, M. V. & Maganaris, C. N. Calf muscle-tendon properties and postural balance in old age. J. Appl. Physiol. 100 (6), 2048\u20132056 (2006).","journal-title":"J. Appl. Physiol."},{"issue":"1","key":"62015_CR2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"78","DOI":"10.1002\/mus.21599","volume":"42","author":"M Kouzaki","year":"2010","unstructured":"Kouzaki, M. & Shinohara, M. Steadiness in plantar flexor muscles and its relation to postural sway in young and elderly adults. Muscle Nerve. 42 (1), 78\u201387 (2010).","journal-title":"Muscle Nerve"},{"issue":"1","key":"62015_CR3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"11","DOI":"10.1016\/j.gaitpost.2011.03.028","volume":"35","author":"M Kouzaki","year":"2012","unstructured":"Kouzaki, M. & Masani, K. Postural sway during quiet standing is related to physiological tremor and muscle volume in young and elderly adults. Gait Posture. 35 (1), 11\u201317 (2012).","journal-title":"Gait Posture"},{"issue":"20\u201322","key":"62015_CR4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1548","DOI":"10.1080\/09638280701831058","volume":"30","author":"MV Narici","year":"2008","unstructured":"Narici, M. V., Maffulli, N. & Maganaris, C. N. Ageing of human muscles and tendons. Disabil. Rehabil. 30 (20\u201322), 1548\u20131554 (2008).","journal-title":"Disabil. Rehabil"},{"issue":"10","key":"62015_CR5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1537","DOI":"10.1152\/japplphysiol.00782.2012","volume":"113","author":"L Stenroth","year":"2012","unstructured":"Stenroth, L., Peltonen, J., Cronin, N. J., Sipila, S. & Finni, T. Age-related differences in Achilles tendon properties and triceps surae muscle architecture in vivo. J. Appl. Physiol. (1985). 113 (10), 1537\u20131544 (2012).","journal-title":"J. Appl. Physiol. (1985)"},{"issue":"1","key":"62015_CR6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"7","DOI":"10.1186\/s40798-015-0009-9","volume":"1","author":"S Bohm","year":"2015","unstructured":"Bohm, S., Mersmann, F. & Arampatzis, A. Human tendon adaptation in response to mechanical loading: a systematic review and meta-analysis of exercise intervention studies on healthy adults. Sports Med. Open. 1 (1), 7 (2015).","journal-title":"Sports Med. Open."},{"issue":"3","key":"62015_CR7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"192","DOI":"10.1016\/j.math.2006.04.004","volume":"11","author":"ND Reeves","year":"2006","unstructured":"Reeves, N. D., Narici, M. V. & Maganaris, C. N. Musculoskeletal adaptations to resistance training in old age. Man. Ther. 11 (3), 192\u2013196 (2006).","journal-title":"Man. Ther."},{"issue":"2","key":"62015_CR8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"427","DOI":"10.1007\/s11357-011-9248-y","volume":"34","author":"GL Onambele-Pearson","year":"2012","unstructured":"Onambele-Pearson, G. L. & Pearson, S. J. The magnitude and character of resistance-training-induced increase in tendon stiffness at old age is gender specific. Age (Dordr). 34 (2), 427\u2013438 (2012).","journal-title":"Age (Dordr)"},{"issue":"2","key":"62015_CR9","first-page":"174","volume":"6","author":"ND Reeves","year":"2006","unstructured":"Reeves, N. D. Adaptation of the tendon to mechanical usage. J. Musculoskelet. Neuronal Interact. 6 (2), 174\u2013180 (2006).","journal-title":"J. Musculoskelet. Neuronal Interact."},{"issue":"6","key":"62015_CR10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1237","DOI":"10.1152\/japplphysiol.00328.2016","volume":"121","author":"RB Svensson","year":"2016","unstructured":"Svensson, R. B., Heinemeier, K. M., Couppe, C., Kjaer, M. & Magnusson, S. P. Effect of aging and exercise on the tendon. J. Appl. Physiol. (1985). 121 (6), 1237\u20131246 (2016).","journal-title":"J. Appl. Physiol. (1985)"},{"issue":"4","key":"62015_CR11","first-page":"217","volume":"113","author":"M Marini","year":"2008","unstructured":"Marini, M. et al. Role of adapted physical activity to prevent the adverse effects of the sarcopenia. A pilot study. Ital. J. Anat. Embryol. 113 (4), 217\u2013225 (2008).","journal-title":"Ital. J. Anat. Embryol."},{"issue":"3","key":"62015_CR12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"337","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cger.2011.03.003","volume":"27","author":"IH Rosenberg","year":"2011","unstructured":"Rosenberg, I. H. Sarcopenia: Origins and Clinical Relevance. Clin. Geriatr. Med. 27 (3), 337\u2013 (2011).","journal-title":"Clin. Geriatr. Med."},{"issue":"3","key":"62015_CR13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1050","DOI":"10.1152\/japplphysiol.01186.2004","volume":"99","author":"CI Morse","year":"2005","unstructured":"Morse, C. I., Thom, J. M., Reeves, N. D., Birch, K. M. & Narici, M. V. In vivo physiological cross-sectional area and specific force are reduced in the gastrocnemius of elderly men. J. Appl. Physiol. (1985). 99 (3), 1050\u20131055 (2005).","journal-title":"J. Appl. Physiol. (1985)"},{"key":"62015_CR14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Wullems, J. A. et al. Sedentary behaviour (especially accumulation pattern) has an independent negative impact on skeletal muscle size and architecture in community-dwelling older adults. Plos One 19(2). (2024).","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0294555"},{"issue":"3","key":"62015_CR15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"547","DOI":"10.1007\/s10522-016-9640-1","volume":"17","author":"JA Wullems","year":"2016","unstructured":"Wullems, J. A., Verschueren, S. M., Degens, H., Morse, C. I. & Onambele, G. L. A review of the assessment and prevalence of sedentarism in older adults, its physiology\/health impact and non-exercise mobility counter-measures. Biogerontology 17 (3), 547\u2013565 (2016).","journal-title":"Biogerontology"},{"issue":"7","key":"62015_CR16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"997","DOI":"10.1080\/001401399185261","volume":"42","author":"T Tanaka","year":"1999","unstructured":"Tanaka, T., Takeda, H., Izumi, T., Ino, S. & Ifukube, T. Effects on the location of the centre of gravity and the foot pressure contribution to standing balance associated with ageing. Ergonomics 42 (7), 997\u20131010 (1999).","journal-title":"Ergonomics"},{"key":"62015_CR17","unstructured":"van der Montero-Odasso, M. et al. World guidelines for falls prevention and management for older adults: a global initiative. Age Ageing 51(9). (2022)."},{"issue":"6","key":"62015_CR18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"928","DOI":"10.1002\/jor.1100100623","volume":"10","author":"T Fukunaga","year":"1992","unstructured":"Fukunaga, T. et al. Physiological cross-sectional area of human leg muscles based on magnetic resonance imaging. J. Orthop. Res. 10 (6), 928\u2013934 (1992).","journal-title":"J. Orthop. Res."},{"key":"62015_CR19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Wickiewicz, T. L., Roy, R. R., Powell, P. L. & Edgerton, V. R. Muscle architecture of the human lower limb. Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. 179, 275\u2013283 (1983).","DOI":"10.1097\/00003086-198310000-00042"},{"issue":"12","key":"62015_CR20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1639","DOI":"10.1016\/S0021-9290(02)00240-3","volume":"35","author":"CN Maganaris","year":"2002","unstructured":"Maganaris, C. N. & Paul, J. P. Tensile properties of the in vivo human gastrocnemius tendon. J. Biomech. 35 (12), 1639\u20131646 (2002).","journal-title":"J. Biomech."},{"issue":"6","key":"62015_CR21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"843","DOI":"10.1113\/expphysiol.1998.sp004164","volume":"83","author":"CN Maganaris","year":"1998","unstructured":"Maganaris, C. N., Baltzopoulos, V. & Sargeant, A. J. Differences in human antagonistic ankle dorsiflexor coactivation between legs; can they explain the moment deficit in the weaker plantarflexor leg? Exp. Physiol. 83 (6), 843\u2013855 (1998).","journal-title":"Exp. Physiol."},{"key":"62015_CR22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"110204","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jbiomech.2020.110204","volume":"116","author":"AJ Buffey","year":"2021","unstructured":"Buffey, A. J., Onambele-Pearson, G. L., Erskine, R. M. & Tomlinson, D. J. The validity and reliability of the Achilles tendon moment arm assessed with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, relative to MRI and ultrasound assessments. J. Biomech. 116, 110204 (2021).","journal-title":"J. Biomech."},{"issue":"1","key":"62015_CR23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"158","DOI":"10.1152\/jappl.1996.80.1.158","volume":"80","author":"T Fukunaga","year":"1996","unstructured":"Fukunaga, T., Roy, R. R., Shellock, F. G., Hodgson, J. A. & Edgerton, V. R. Specific tension of human plantar flexors and dorsiflexors. J. Appl. Physiol. (1985). 80 (1), 158\u2013165 (1996).","journal-title":"J. Appl. Physiol. (1985)"},{"issue":"2","key":"62015_CR24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"155","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jcm.2016.02.012","volume":"15","author":"TK Koo","year":"2016","unstructured":"Koo, T. K. & Li, M. Y. A Guideline of Selecting and Reporting Intraclass Correlation Coefficients for Reliability Research. J. Chiropr. Med. 15 (2), 155\u2013163 (2016).","journal-title":"J. Chiropr. Med."},{"issue":"10","key":"62015_CR25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e0139984","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0139984","volume":"10","author":"SF Chastin","year":"2015","unstructured":"Chastin, S. F., Palarea-Albaladejo, J., Dontje, M. L. & Skelton, D. A. Combined Effects of Time Spent in Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviors and Sleep on Obesity and Cardio-Metabolic Health Markers: A Novel Compositional Data Analysis Approach. PLoS One. 10 (10), e0139984 (2015).","journal-title":"PLoS One"},{"issue":"12","key":"62015_CR26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3726","DOI":"10.1177\/0962280217710835","volume":"27","author":"D Dumuid","year":"2018","unstructured":"Dumuid, D. et al. Compositional data analysis for physical activity, sedentary time and sleep research. Stat. Methods Med. Res. 27 (12), 3726\u20133738 (2018).","journal-title":"Stat. Methods Med. Res."},{"issue":"10","key":"62015_CR27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1946","DOI":"10.1249\/MSS.0000000000000317","volume":"46","author":"M Hamer","year":"2014","unstructured":"Hamer, M., Stamatakis, E. & Steptoe, A. Effects of substituting sedentary time with physical activity on metabolic risk. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 46 (10), 1946\u20131950 (2014).","journal-title":"Med. Sci. Sports Exerc."},{"issue":"1","key":"62015_CR28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"63","DOI":"10.1152\/japplphysiol.00511.2015","volume":"120","author":"L Stenroth","year":"2016","unstructured":"Stenroth, L. et al. Triceps surae muscle-tendon properties in older endurance- and sprint-trained athletes. J. Appl. Physiol. (1985). 120 (1), 63\u201369 (2016).","journal-title":"J. Appl. Physiol. (1985)"},{"issue":"3","key":"62015_CR29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"9657","DOI":"10.1007\/s11357-014-9657-9","volume":"36","author":"JF Grosset","year":"2014","unstructured":"Grosset, J. F., Breen, L., Stewart, C. E., Burgess, K. E. & Onambele, G. L. Influence of exercise intensity on training-induced tendon mechanical properties changes in older individuals. Age (Dordr). 36 (3), 9657 (2014).","journal-title":"Age (Dordr)"},{"issue":"3","key":"62015_CR30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"540","DOI":"10.1139\/h2012-024","volume":"37","author":"Sedentary Behaviour Research N","year":"2012","unstructured":"Sedentary Behaviour Research N. Letter to the editor: standardized use of the terms sedentary and sedentary behaviours. Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab. 37 (3), 540\u2013542 (2012).","journal-title":"Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab."},{"issue":"8","key":"62015_CR31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1331","DOI":"10.1113\/JP273284","volume":"596","author":"MT Hamilton","year":"2018","unstructured":"Hamilton, M. T. The role of skeletal muscle contractile duration throughout the whole day: reducing sedentary time and promoting universal physical activity in all people. J. Physiol. 596 (8), 1331\u20131340 (2018).","journal-title":"J. Physiol."},{"issue":"6","key":"62015_CR32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"725","DOI":"10.1139\/H10-079","volume":"35","author":"MS Tremblay","year":"2010","unstructured":"Tremblay, M. S., Colley, R. C., Saunders, T. J., Healy, G. N. & Owen, N. Physiological and health implications of a sedentary lifestyle. Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab. 35 (6), 725\u2013740 (2010).","journal-title":"Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab."},{"issue":"1523","key":"62015_CR33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1493","DOI":"10.1098\/rspb.2003.2403","volume":"270","author":"A Galantis","year":"2003","unstructured":"Galantis, A. & Woledge, R. C. The theoretical limits to the power output of a muscle-tendon complex with inertial and gravitational loads. Proc. Biol. Sci. 270 (1523), 1493\u20131498 (2003).","journal-title":"Proc. Biol. Sci."},{"key":"62015_CR34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"113167","DOI":"10.1016\/j.exger.2026.113167","volume":"220","author":"JA Wullems","year":"2026","unstructured":"Wullems, J. A., Verschueren, S. M. P., Degens, H., Morse, C. I. & Onambele-Pearson, G. L. Waking-hours sedentary behaviour and its PA-independent associations with muscle strength, specific force, activation capacity, and fatigability in older adults. Exp. Gerontol. 220, 113167 (2026).","journal-title":"Exp. Gerontol."},{"issue":"4","key":"62015_CR35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e0302021","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0302021","volume":"19","author":"RE Smith","year":"2024","unstructured":"Smith, R. E., Shelton, A. D., Sawicki, G. S. & Franz, J. R. The effects of plantarflexor weakness and reduced tendon stiffness with aging on gait stability. PLoS One. 19 (4), e0302021 (2024).","journal-title":"PLoS One"},{"key":"62015_CR36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Dong, Z. et al. Associations of lower limb muscle-tendon properties with dual-task gait variability: a cross-age study. Healthc. (Basel) ;13(12). (2025).","DOI":"10.3390\/healthcare13121375"}],"container-title":["Scientific Reports"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41598-026-62015-2","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41598-026-62015-2.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41598-026-62015-2.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,14]],"date-time":"2026-10-14T12:25:52Z","timestamp":1791980752000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41598-026-62015-2"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,13]]},"references-count":36,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,12]]}},"alternative-id":["62015"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41598-026-62015-2","relation":{},"ISSN":["2045-2322"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2045-2322","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,13]]},"assertion":[{"value":"19 February 2026","order":1,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"8 July 2026","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"13 July 2026","order":3,"name":"first_online","label":"First Online","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"The authors declare no competing interests.","order":1,"name":"Ethics","label":"Competing interests","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Declarations"}},{"value":"This study was approved by the Manchester Metropolitan University Research Ethics Committee, UK (Cheshire faculty, Ethics Approval code: Cheshire_12.12.14(i)). All participants provided written informed consent prior to participation in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.","order":2,"name":"Ethics","label":"Ethics approval and consent to participate","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Declarations"}}],"article-number":"32169"}}