Unraveling Age-related Impairment of the Neuromuscular System: Exploring Biomechanical and Neurophysiological Perspectives

Overview

Journal Front Physiol

Date 2023 Jul 10

PMID 37427405

Authors

M Nunez-Lisboa

M Valero-Breton

A H Dewolf

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

With extended life expectancy, the quality of life of elders is a priority. Loss of mobility, increased morbidity and risks of falls have dramatic individual and societal impacts. Here we consider the age-related modifications of gait, from a biomechanical and neurophysiological perspective. Among the many factors of frailty involved (e.g., metabolic, hormonal, immunological), loss of muscle strength and neurodegenerative changes inducing slower muscle contraction may play a key role. We highlight that the impact of the multifactorial age-related changes in the neuromuscular systems results in common features of gait in the immature gait of infants and older adults. Besides, we also consider the reversibility of age-related neuromuscular deterioration by, on the one hand, exercise training, and the other hand, novel techniques such as direct spinal stimulation (tsDCS).

Citing Articles

The use of dance to improve the health and wellbeing of older adults: A global scoping review of research trials.

Waugh M, Youdan Jr G, Casale C, Balaban R, Cross E, Merom D PLoS One. 2024; 19(10):e0311889.

PMID: 39436889 PMC: 11495583. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0311889.

The relationship between accelerometer-based physical activity, sedentary behavior, and seven common geriatric syndromes: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Chen J, Lu Y, Yao J, Zhang X, Pan Y Front Public Health. 2024; 12:1406303.

PMID: 39161855 PMC: 11330792. DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1406303.

Longitudinal association of grip strength with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in older urban Lithuanian population.

Sileikiene L, Tamosiunas A, Luksiene D, Radisauskas R, Kranciukaite-Butylkiniene D, Bobak M BMC Public Health. 2024; 24(1):1040.

PMID: 38622618 PMC: 11017659. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18506-w.

References

Dewolf A, Sylos-Labini F, Cappellini G, Ivanenko Y, Lacquaniti F . Age-related changes in the neuromuscular control of forward and backward locomotion. PLoS One. 2021; 16(2):e0246372. PMC: 7888655. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246372. View

Dewolf A, Ivanenko Y, Zelik K, Lacquaniti F, Willems P . Kinematic patterns while walking on a slope at different speeds. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2018; 125(2):642-653. PMC: 6842866. DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.01020.2017. View

Gossman M, Jacobs L . Three primitive reflexes in parkinsonism patients. Neurology. 1980; 30(2):189-92. DOI: 10.1212/wnl.30.2.189. View

Guralnik J, Ferrucci L, Pieper C, Leveille S, Markides K, Ostir G . Lower extremity function and subsequent disability: consistency across studies, predictive models, and value of gait speed alone compared with the short physical performance battery. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2000; 55(4):M221-31. DOI: 10.1093/gerona/55.4.m221. View

Cheron G, Bouillot E, Dan B, Bengoetxea A, Draye J, Lacquaniti F . Development of a kinematic coordination pattern in toddler locomotion: planar covariation. Exp Brain Res. 2001; 137(3-4):455-66. DOI: 10.1007/s002210000663. View

Taylor D . Physical activity is medicine for older adults. Postgrad Med J. 2013; 90(1059):26-32. PMC: 3888599. DOI: 10.1136/postgradmedj-2012-131366. View

Piasecki M, Ireland A, Coulson J, Stashuk D, Hamilton-Wright A, Swiecicka A . Motor unit number estimates and neuromuscular transmission in the tibialis anterior of master athletes: evidence that athletic older people are not spared from age-related motor unit remodeling. Physiol Rep. 2016; 4(19). PMC: 5064139. DOI: 10.14814/phy2.12987. View

Keating C, Cabrera-Linares J, Parraga-Montilla J, Latorre-Roman P, Del Castillo R, Garcia-Pinillos F . Influence of Resistance Training on Gait & Balance Parameters in Older Adults: A Systematic Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021; 18(4). PMC: 7918150. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18041759. View

Cappellini G, Ivanenko Y, Dominici N, Poppele R, Lacquaniti F . Migration of motor pool activity in the spinal cord reflects body mechanics in human locomotion. J Neurophysiol. 2010; 104(6):3064-73. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00318.2010. View

10.

Baczyk M, Drzymala-Celichowska H, Mrowczynski W, Krutki P . Motoneuron firing properties are modified by trans-spinal direct current stimulation in rats. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2019; 126(5):1232-1241. DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00803.2018. View

11.

Dewolf A, Sylos-Labini F, Cappellini G, Lacquaniti F, Ivanenko Y . Emergence of Different Gaits in Infancy: Relationship Between Developing Neural Circuitries and Changing Biomechanics. Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2020; 8:473. PMC: 7248179. DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00473. View

12.

Beijersbergen C, Granacher U, Gabler M, DeVita P, Hortobagyi T . Kinematic Mechanisms of How Power Training Improves Healthy Old Adults' Gait Velocity. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2016; 49(1):150-157. DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000001082. View

13.

Kraemer W, Adams K, Cafarelli E, Dudley G, Dooly C, Feigenbaum M . American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Progression models in resistance training for healthy adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2002; 34(2):364-80. DOI: 10.1097/00005768-200202000-00027. View

14.

McNeil C, Doherty T, Stashuk D, Rice C . Motor unit number estimates in the tibialis anterior muscle of young, old, and very old men. Muscle Nerve. 2005; 31(4):461-7. DOI: 10.1002/mus.20276. View

15.

Ivanenko Y, Cappellini G, Poppele R, Lacquaniti F . Spatiotemporal organization of alpha-motoneuron activity in the human spinal cord during different gaits and gait transitions. Eur J Neurosci. 2008; 27(12):3351-68. DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2008.06289.x. View

16.

Dominici N, Ivanenko Y, Cappellini G, dAvella A, Mondi V, Cicchese M . Locomotor primitives in newborn babies and their development. Science. 2011; 334(6058):997-9. DOI: 10.1126/science.1210617. View

17.

Jankowska E . Spinal control of motor outputs by intrinsic and externally induced electric field potentials. J Neurophysiol. 2017; 118(2):1221-1234. PMC: 5547263. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00169.2017. View

18.

Kadhiresan V, Hassett C, Faulkner J . Properties of single motor units in medial gastrocnemius muscles of adult and old rats. J Physiol. 1996; 493 ( Pt 2):543-52. PMC: 1158936. DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.1996.sp021402. View

19.

Radaelli R, Trajano G, Freitas S, Izquierdo M, Cadore E, Pinto R . Power Training Prescription in Older Individuals: Is It Safe and Effective to Promote Neuromuscular Functional Improvements?. Sports Med. 2022; 53(3):569-576. DOI: 10.1007/s40279-022-01758-0. View

20.

Martino G, Ivanenko Y, Serrao M, Ranavolo A, dAvella A, Draicchio F . Locomotor patterns in cerebellar ataxia. J Neurophysiol. 2014; 112(11):2810-21. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00275.2014. View