Mieras, A. (2016) Motor cortical control of antagonist muscle function in aging. thesis, Human Movement Sciences.
Full text available on request.Abstract
Introduction: Healthy aging is associated with changes in the normal function of the central nervous system, including the control of voluntary force. One of the changes is the increase in the coactivation of agonist and antagonist muscles. This study examines the motor cortical control of the antagonist muscle function in younger and older adults. Methods: Healthy, right handed, young (n=14, age=22.5±1.70) and old adults (n=14, age=72.9±3.52) rapidly flexed and extended their right wrist to a target of 20° after hearing an auditory tone. The ratio of background EMG (bEMG) and the brain stimulation-evoked increase in motor cortical (M1) excitability was recorded and analyzed in the muscle antagonist to the movement. Results: Movement duration and reaction time were longer in old versus young adults. Cortical activation increased prior to movement onset independent of age. The magnitude of coactivation and the ratio of bEMG to M1 excitability were both similar in the two age groups. Conclusion: Old adults’ high fitness might have minimized any potential age effects on behavioral (bEMG) and M1 control of wrist muscles acting as the antagonist to wrist flexion and extension.
| Item Type: | Thesis (UNSPECIFIED) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Hortobágyi, prof. dr. T and Fernandez del Olmo, prof. dr. M. |
| Faculty: | Medical Sciences |
| Date Deposited: | 02 May 2022 07:53 |
| Last Modified: | 02 May 2022 07:53 |
| URI: | https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3172 |
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