1
|
Siddique U, Frazer AK, Avela J, Walker S, Ahtiainen JP, Tanel M, Uribe S, Akalu Y, Rostami M, Tallent J, Kidgell DJ. Differential modulation of corticomotor excitability in older compared to young adults following a single bout of strength -exercise. Arch Gerontol Geriatr 2024; 122:105384. [PMID: 38394740 DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2024.105384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Evidence shows corticomotor plasticity diminishes with age. Nevertheless, whether strength-training, a proven intervention that induces corticomotor plasticity in younger adults, also takes effect in older adults, remains untested. This study examined the effect of a single-session of strength-exercise on corticomotor plasticity in older and younger adults. Thirteen older adults (72.3 ± 6.5 years) and eleven younger adults (29.9 ± 6.9 years), novice to strength-exercise, participated. Strength-exercise involved four sets of 6-8 repetitions of a dumbbell biceps curl at 70-75% of their one-repetition maximum (1-RM). Muscle strength, cortical, corticomotor and spinal excitability, before and up to 60-minutes after the strength-exercise session were assessed. We observed significant changes over time (p < 0.05) and an interaction between time and age group (p < 0.05) indicating a decrease in corticomotor excitability (18% p < 0.05) for older adults at 30- and 60-minutes post strength-exercise and an increase (26% and 40%, all p < 0.05) in younger adults at the same time points. Voluntary activation (VA) declined in older adults immediately post and 60-minutes post strength-exercise (36% and 25%, all p < 0.05). Exercise had no effect on the cortical silent period (cSP) in older adults however, in young adults cSP durations were shorter at both 30- and 60- minute time points (17% 30-minute post and 9% 60-minute post, p < 0.05). There were no differences in short-interval cortical inhibition (SICI) or intracortical facilitation (ICF) between groups. Although the corticomotor responses to strength-exercise were different within groups, overall, the neural responses seem to be independent of age.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ummatul Siddique
- Monash University Exercise Neuroplasticity Research Unit, School of Primary and Allied Care, Monash University, Frankston, Australia
| | - Ashlyn K Frazer
- Monash University Exercise Neuroplasticity Research Unit, School of Primary and Allied Care, Monash University, Frankston, Australia
| | - Janne Avela
- NeuroMuscular Research Center, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Simon Walker
- NeuroMuscular Research Center, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Juha P Ahtiainen
- NeuroMuscular Research Center, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Meghan Tanel
- NeuroMuscular Research Center, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Sergio Uribe
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, School of Primary and Allied Care, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Yonas Akalu
- Monash University Exercise Neuroplasticity Research Unit, School of Primary and Allied Care, Monash University, Frankston, Australia; Department of Human Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Mohamad Rostami
- Monash University Exercise Neuroplasticity Research Unit, School of Primary and Allied Care, Monash University, Frankston, Australia
| | - Jamie Tallent
- Monash University Exercise Neuroplasticity Research Unit, School of Primary and Allied Care, Monash University, Frankston, Australia; School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, UK
| | - Dawson J Kidgell
- Monash University Exercise Neuroplasticity Research Unit, School of Primary and Allied Care, Monash University, Frankston, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
MacKenzie EG, Snow NJ, Chaves AR, Reza SZ, Ploughman M. Weak grip strength among persons with multiple sclerosis having minimal disability is not related to agility or integrity of the corticospinal tract. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2024; 88:105741. [PMID: 38936325 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2024.105741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mobility impairment is common in multiple sclerosis (MS); however, agility has received less attention. Agility requires strength and neuromuscular coordination to elicit controlled propulsive rapid whole-body movement. Grip strength is a common method to assess whole body force production, but also reflects neuromuscular integrity and global brain health. Impaired agility may be linked to loss of neuromuscular integrity (reflected by grip strength or corticospinal excitability). OBJECTIVES We aimed to determine whether grip strength would be associated with agility and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)-based indices of corticospinal excitability and inhibition in persons with MS having low disability. We hypothesized that low grip strength would predict impaired agility and reflect low corticospinal excitability. METHODS We recruited 34 persons with relapsing MS (27 females; median [range] age 45.5 [21.0-65.0] years) and mild disability (median [range] Expanded Disability Status Scale 2.0 [0-3.0]), as well as a convenience sample of age- and sex-matched apparently healthy controls. Agility was tested by measuring hop length during bipedal hopping on an instrumented walkway. Grip strength was measured using a calibrated dynamometer. Corticospinal excitability and inhibition were examined using TMS-based motor evoked potential (MEP) and corticospinal silent period (CSP) recruitment curves, respectively. RESULTS MS participants had significantly lower grip strength than controls independent of sex. Females with and without MS had weaker grip strength than males. There were no statistically significant sex or group differences in agility. After controlling for sex, weaker grip strength was associated with shorter hop length in controls only (r = 0.645, p < .05). Grip strength did not significantly predict agility in persons with MS, nor was grip strength predicted by corticospinal excitability or inhibition. CONCLUSIONS In persons with MS having low disability, grip strength (normalized to body mass) was reduced despite having intact agility and walking performance. Grip strength was not associated with corticospinal excitability or inhibition, suggesting peripheral neuromuscular function, low physical activity or fitness, or other psychosocial factors may be related to weakness. Low grip strength is a putative indicator of early neuromuscular aging in persons with MS having mild disability and normal mobility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evan G MacKenzie
- Faculty of Medicine, Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, Room 400, L.A. Miller Center, 100 Forest Road, St. John's, St. John's, NL A1A 1E5, Canada
| | - Nicholas J Snow
- Faculty of Medicine, Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, Room 400, L.A. Miller Center, 100 Forest Road, St. John's, St. John's, NL A1A 1E5, Canada
| | - Arthur R Chaves
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada; Neuromodulation Research Clinic, The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research, ON, Canada; Département de Psychoéducation et de Psychologie, Université du Québec en Outaouais, QC, Canada
| | - Syed Z Reza
- Faculty of Medicine, Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, Room 400, L.A. Miller Center, 100 Forest Road, St. John's, St. John's, NL A1A 1E5, Canada
| | - Michelle Ploughman
- Faculty of Medicine, Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, Room 400, L.A. Miller Center, 100 Forest Road, St. John's, St. John's, NL A1A 1E5, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Murphy MC, Rio EK, Whife C, Latella C. Maximising neuromuscular performance in people with pain and injury: moving beyond reps and sets to understand the challenges and embrace the complexity. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med 2024; 10:e001935. [PMID: 38736640 PMCID: PMC11086544 DOI: 10.1136/bmjsem-2024-001935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Rehabilitative practice is often criticised for being non-individualised, monotonous and not well aligned with foundational principles that drive continued physiological adaptation(s). However, our understanding of neuromuscular physiology is rapidly increasing and the way we programme rehabilitation is improving. This viewpoint highlights some of the potential considerations around why the adaptations achieved during rehabilitation programmes may be suboptimal. We provide basic, clinician-focused discussion about potential confounding physiological factors, and put forward several exercise-based programming recommendations and novel approaches to consider in contemporary rehabilitative practice. Specifically, we outline several potential mechanisms contributing to poor muscle activation and function that might be present following musculoskeletal injury. However, clinicians require strategies capable of attenuating these impairments to restore proper function. Therefore, we also provide an overview of recommended strength and conditioning guidelines, and novel strategies (such as external pacing and electrical stimulation techniques) that clinicians can consider to potentially improve the efficacy of musculoskeletal rehabilitation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Myles Calder Murphy
- Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Health Sciences, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Ebonie Kendra Rio
- La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Ballet, Southbank, Victoria, Australia
| | - Casey Whife
- Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia
- Medical Department, West Coast Eagles Football Club, Lathlain, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Christopher Latella
- Neurophysiology Research Laboratory, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Woodhead A, Rainer C, Hill J, Murphy CP, North JS, Kidgell D, Tallent J. Corticospinal and spinal responses following a single session of lower limb motor skill and resistance training. Eur J Appl Physiol 2024:10.1007/s00421-024-05464-9. [PMID: 38532177 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-024-05464-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Prior studies suggest resistance exercise as a potential form of motor learning due to task-specific corticospinal responses observed in single sessions of motor skill and resistance training. While existing literature primarily focuses on upper limb muscles, revealing a task-dependent nature in eliciting corticospinal responses, our aim was to investigate such responses after a single session of lower limb motor skill and resistance training. Twelve participants engaged in a visuomotor force tracking task, self-paced knee extensions, and a control task. Corticospinal, spinal, and neuromuscular responses were measured using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS). Assessments occurred at baseline, immediately post, and at 30-min intervals over two hours. Force steadiness significantly improved in the visuomotor task (P < 0.001). Significant fixed-effects emerged between conditions for corticospinal excitability, corticospinal inhibition, and spinal excitability (all P < 0.001). Lower limb motor skill training resulted in a greater corticospinal excitability compared to resistance training (mean difference [MD] = 35%, P < 0.001) and control (MD; 37%, P < 0.001). Motor skill training resulted in a lower corticospinal inhibition compared to control (MD; - 10%, P < 0.001) and resistance training (MD; - 9%, P < 0.001). Spinal excitability was lower following motor skill training compared to control (MD; - 28%, P < 0.001). No significant fixed effect of Time or Time*Condition interactions were observed. Our findings highlight task-dependent corticospinal responses in lower limb motor skill training, offering insights for neurorehabilitation program design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alex Woodhead
- Faculty of Sport, Technology and Health Sciences, St. Mary's University, Twickenham, Middlesex, TW1 4SX, UK.
| | - Christopher Rainer
- Faculty of Sport, Technology and Health Sciences, St. Mary's University, Twickenham, Middlesex, TW1 4SX, UK
| | - Jessica Hill
- Faculty of Sport, Technology and Health Sciences, St. Mary's University, Twickenham, Middlesex, TW1 4SX, UK
| | - Colm P Murphy
- Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Jamie S North
- Faculty of Sport, Technology and Health Sciences, St. Mary's University, Twickenham, Middlesex, TW1 4SX, UK
| | - Dawson Kidgell
- Monash Exercise Neuroplasticity Research Unit, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3199, Australia
| | - Jamie Tallent
- School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, UK
- Monash Exercise Neuroplasticity Research Unit, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3199, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Perrey S. The potential of fNIRS, EEG, and transcranial current stimulation to probe neural mechanisms of resistance training. Front Hum Neurosci 2023; 17:1295993. [PMID: 38098763 PMCID: PMC10720034 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2023.1295993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Perrey
- EuroMov Digital Health in Motion, Univ Montpellier, IMT Mines Ales, Montpellier, France
| |
Collapse
|