scholarly journals The effects of long-term exercise training on the neural control of walking

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morteza Yaserifar ◽  
Ziya Fallah Mohammadi ◽  
Sayed Esmaiel Hosseininejad ◽  
Iman Esmaili Paeen Afrakoti ◽  
Kenneth Meijer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neural Control ◽  
Treadmill Walking ◽  
Muscle Synergies ◽  
Muscle Coordination ◽  
Overground Walking ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Gait Parameters ◽  
Eyes Open ◽  
The Right

AbstractHow does long-term training modify the neural control of walking? Here we investigate changes in kinematics and muscle synergies of the lower extremities in 10 soccer players and 10 non-athletes while they walked with eyes open or closed either overground or on a treadmill. Electromyography (EMG) was acquired from eight muscles of the right leg and foot switch data were recorded to extract temporal gait parameters. Muscle synergies were extracted using non-negative matrix factorisation for each participant and condition separately and were then grouped using k-means clustering. We found that both the cycle and stance duration were longer during treadmill walking compared to overground walking, whereas the swing phase was longer during the eyes-open compare to the eyes-closed condition. On average, more synergies were expressed in the athlete compared to the non-athlete group and during treadmill compared to overground walking. We found that synergy 2 involved in ankle plantarflexion was more often activated in athletes than in non-athletes. We did not find statistical group differences for the synergy metrics but several differences were observed between conditions: peak activation of synergy 5 (VM and VL muscles) increased during overground walking compared to treadmill walking. In addition, reduced activation of synergy 3 (TA muscle) and synergy 4 was observed during eyes-closed compared to eyes-open walking. These findings suggest that during walking long-term training results in greater flexibility of muscle coordination by recruiting additional synergies, but we found no evidence that long-term training affects the activation patterns of these synergies.

scholarly journals Shifts in broadband power and alpha peak frequency observed during long-term isolation

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Weber ◽  
Timo Klein ◽  
Vera Abeln
Keyword(s):  
Sensory Deprivation ◽  
Peak Frequency ◽  
Neuronal Population ◽  
Confined Space ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Eyes Open ◽  
Eeg Recordings ◽  
Induced Changes ◽  
Alpha Peak

Abstract Prolonged periods of social isolation and spatial confinement do not only represent an issue that needs to be faced by a few astronauts during space missions, but can affect all of us as recently shown during pandemic situations. The fundamental question, how the brain adapts to periods of sensory deprivation and re-adapts to normality, has only received little attention. Here, we use eyes closed and eyes open resting-state electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings to investigate how neural activity is altered during 120 days of isolation in a spatially confined, space-analogue environment. After disentangling oscillatory patterns from 1/f activity, we show that isolation leads to a reduction in broadband power and a flattening of the 1/f spectral slope. Beyond that, we observed a reduction in alpha peak frequency during isolation, but did not find strong evidence for isolation-induced changes that are of oscillatory nature. Critically, all effects reversed upon release from isolation. These findings suggest that isolation and concomitant sensory deprivation lead to an enhanced cortical deactivation which might be explained by a reduction in the mean neuronal population firing rate.

scholarly journals Neural basis for hand muscle synergies in the primate spinal cord

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (32) ◽  
pp. 8643-8648 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomohiko Takei ◽  
Joachim Confais ◽  
Saeka Tomatsu ◽  
Tomomichi Oya ◽  
Kazuhiko Seki
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Neural Control ◽  
Cervical Spinal Cord ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Muscle Synergies ◽  
Muscle Coordination ◽  
Neural Basis ◽  
Population Activity ◽  
Hand Functions ◽  
Hand Muscle

Grasping is a highly complex movement that requires the coordination of multiple hand joints and muscles. Muscle synergies have been proposed to be the functional building blocks that coordinate such complex motor behaviors, but little is known about how they are implemented in the central nervous system. Here we demonstrate that premotor interneurons (PreM-INs) in the primate cervical spinal cord underlie the spatiotemporal patterns of hand muscle synergies during a voluntary grasping task. Using spike-triggered averaging of hand muscle activity, we found that the muscle fields of PreM-INs were not uniformly distributed across hand muscles but rather distributed as clusters corresponding to muscle synergies. Moreover, although individual PreM-INs have divergent activation patterns, the population activity of PreM-INs reflects the temporal activation of muscle synergies. These findings demonstrate that spinal PreM-INs underlie the muscle coordination required for voluntary hand movements in primates. Given the evolution of neural control of primate hand functions, we suggest that spinal premotor circuits provide the fundamental coordination of multiple joints and muscles upon which more fractionated control is achieved by superimposed, phylogenetically newer, pathways.

scholarly journals Relation Between Frontal Alpha Asymmetry and Anxiety in Young Patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder

PRILOZI ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aneta Demerdzieva ◽  
Nada Pop-Jordanova
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Generalized Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Frontal Region ◽  
Generalized Anxiety ◽  
Alpha Power ◽  
Alpha Asymmetry ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Frontal Alpha Asymmetry ◽  
Eyes Open ◽  
The Right

Abstract Frontal alpha asymmetry (the relative difference in power between two signals in different hemispheres) has been suggested as biomarker for anxiety. The goal of this study was to evaluate alpha asymmetry in the frontal region for young people (7-18 years) with generalized anxiety disorder, diagnosed according to two statistic manuals (DMS-IV-R and ICD-10), the medical history and the neuropsychological assessment. The QEEG recording and analysis of the obtained results from alpha spectra power and log of alpha spectra power are made in four conditions (eyes open, eyes closed, VCPT and ACPT). The obtained results for alpha power in general showed higher cortical activity in the right hemisphere, associated with negative emotions. The calculated alpha asymmetry separate for eyes open, eyes closed, VCPT and ACPT conditions showed the right activation in all four conditions. In addition, the right frontal asymmetry was specific for the Fp1-Fp2 region, while a greater left frontal activation was recorded for the F7-F8 region. The log of alpha power in general was additionally analyzed. The calculated asymmetry score in general (in a way that the left log transformed score was subtracted from the right) confirmed a greater right activation. Testing the power of the whole alpha band (μV2) in general, for all four conditions and for frontal region confirmed the right alpha asymmetries in all participants. The right alpha asymmetry in the frontal region was specific only for the Fp1-Fp2 region (frontopolar region). The only greater left frontal activation was registered between the F7-F8 region. Our findings are supported by many other studies using specific localization methods like fMRI or LORETA source localization.

scholarly journals Comparing spatiotemporal gait parameters between overground walking and self-paced treadmill walking in persons after stroke

2021 ◽  
Vol 90 ◽  
pp. 278-279
Author(s):  
A. Van Bladel ◽  
R. De Ridder ◽  
T. Palmans ◽  
R. Van der Looven ◽  
D. Cambier
Keyword(s):  
Treadmill Walking ◽  
Overground Walking ◽  
Gait Parameters

scholarly journals Long-term training modifies the modular structure and organization of walking balance control

2015 ◽  
Vol 114 (6) ◽  
pp. 3359-3373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Sawers ◽  
Jessica L. Allen ◽  
Lena H. Ting
Keyword(s):  
Neural Control ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
Muscle Synergy ◽  
Muscle Coordination ◽  
Motor Behaviors ◽  
Motor Module ◽  
Biomechanical Constraints ◽  
And Function ◽  
Walking Balance

How does long-term training affect the neural control of movements? Here we tested the hypothesis that long-term training leading to skilled motor performance alters muscle coordination during challenging, as well as nominal everyday motor behaviors. Using motor module (a.k.a., muscle synergy) analyses, we identified differences in muscle coordination patterns between professionally trained ballet dancers (experts) and untrained novices that accompanied differences in walking balance proficiency assessed using a challenging beam-walking test. During beam walking, we found that experts recruited more motor modules than novices, suggesting an increase in motor repertoire size. Motor modules in experts had less muscle coactivity and were more consistent than in novices, reflecting greater efficiency in muscle output. Moreover, the pool of motor modules shared between beam and overground walking was larger in experts compared with novices, suggesting greater generalization of motor module function across multiple behaviors. These differences in motor output between experts and novices could not be explained by differences in kinematics, suggesting that they likely reflect differences in the neural control of movement following years of training rather than biomechanical constraints imposed by the activity or musculoskeletal structure and function. Our results suggest that to learn challenging new behaviors, we may take advantage of existing motor modules used for related behaviors and sculpt them to meet the demands of a new behavior.

Comparison of Treadmill and Overground Walking in Children and Adolescents

2021 ◽  
pp. 003151252199310
Author(s):  
Taeyou Jung ◽  
Yumi Kim ◽  
Luke E. Kelly ◽  
Mayumi Wagatsuma ◽  
Youngok Jung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Stride Length ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Treadmill Walking ◽  
Gait Velocity ◽  
Overground Walking ◽  
Common Error ◽  
Gait Parameters ◽  
Analysis System ◽  
Walking Speeds

The primary purpose of this study was to compare biomechanical gait variables and perceived gait velocity between overground and treadmill walking conditions among typically developing children and adolescents. Twenty children and adolescents ( Mage = 11.4, SD = 2.9 years) walked overground and on a treadmill at a matched comfortable walking speed while a 3-D motion analysis system captured spatiotemporal and kinematic gait parameters. In order to compare perceived gait velocities, we acquired data at self-selected comfortable and fastest walking speeds. Paired t-tests comparing the children’s speed and gait in these two different walking conditions revealed significantly higher cadence ( p < .001) and shorter stride length ( p < .002), during treadmill versus overground walking. In addition, treadmill walking showed statistically significant differences in joint kinematics of ankle excursion and pelvic rotation excursions ( p < .001). Participants chose slower speeds on the treadmill than for overground walking when they were asked to select their comfortable and fastest walking speeds ( p < .001). Our findings suggest that these differences between treadmill and overground walking in cadence, stride length, and perceived gait velocity should be considered whenever a treadmill is used for gait research within the pediatric population. However, the differences we found in gait kinematics between these two walking conditions appear to be relatively trivial and fell within the common error range of kinematic analysis.

scholarly journals Electroencephalographic modulations during an open- or closed-eyes motor task

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e4492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sébastien Rimbert ◽  
Rahaf Al-Chwa ◽  
Manuel Zaepffel ◽  
Laurent Bougrain
Keyword(s):  
Motor Cortex ◽  
Motor Task ◽  
Occipital Lobe ◽  
Mu Rhythm ◽  
Beta Band ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Simple Motor Task ◽  
Eyes Open ◽  
Event Related Desynchronisation ◽  
The Right

There is fundamental knowledge that during the resting state cerebral activity recorded by electroencephalography (EEG) is strongly modulated by the eyes-closed condition compared to the eyes-open condition, especially in the occipital lobe. However, little research has demonstrated the influence of the eyes-closed condition on the motor cortex, particularly during a self-paced movement. This prompted the question: How does the motor cortex activity change between the eyes-closed and eyes-open conditions? To answer this question, we recorded EEG signals from 15 voluntary healthy subjects who performed a simple motor task (i.e., a voluntary isometric flexion of the right-hand index) under two conditions: eyes-closed and eyes-open. Our results confirmed strong modulation in the mu rhythm (7–13 Hz) with a large event-related desynchronisation. However, no significant differences have been observed in the beta band (15–30 Hz). Furthermore, evidence suggests that the eyes-closed condition influences the behaviour of subjects. This study gives us greater insight into the motor cortex and could also be useful in the brain-computer interface (BCI) domain.

scholarly journals Rapid and Long-term Adaptations in Gait Symmetry Following Unilateral Step Training in People With Hemiparesis

2009 ◽  
Vol 89 (5) ◽  
pp. 474-483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer H Kahn ◽  
T George Hornby
Keyword(s):  
Step Length ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Overground Walking ◽  
Gait Symmetry ◽  
Gait Parameters ◽  
Impaired Limb ◽  
Repeated Training ◽  
Minute Session

Background and Objective Evidence for specific physical interventions that improve walking symmetry in individuals with hemiparesis poststroke is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the rapid and prolonged effects of unilateral step training (UST) on step length asymmetry (SLA) in people with hemiparesis. Subjects and Design Eighteen individuals with chronic hemiparesis and substantial SLA during overground walking participated in a single-group, pretest-posttest study. The study consisted of 2 phases, with 10 subjects participating in each phase; 2 subjects participated in both phases. Interventions and Measurements To investigate rapid effects of UST, the participants completed a 20-minute session of UST on a treadmill with their unimpaired limb, with the impaired limb held stationary off the treadmill. Data for spatiotemporal gait parameters during overground walking at self-selected and fastest speeds were collected prior to and following UST, with follow-up measurements at 1 day and 1 week. To investigate the prolonged effects, the participants completed ten 20-minute sessions of UST. Data for spatiotemporal gait parameters were collected prior to training as well as after every third session, with follow-up measurements at 1 and 2 weeks. Results Immediately following UST, SLA tested during fast-paced overground walking improved by up to 13% (49% reduced to a 36% SLA), with changes retained for up to 24 hours. Following 10 sessions of UST, SLA improved significantly, with changes retained for up to 2 weeks. Limitations Despite repeated baseline measurements, the absence of a control group was a limitation. Furthermore, stepping characteristics during UST were not quantified. Conclusion Unilateral step training may improve spatiotemporal patterns in people with substantial gait asymmetry poststroke. Repeated training may be necessary for maintenance of adaptations.

scholarly journals Noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation has a greater ameliorating effect on posture in unstable subjects: a feasibility study

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chisato Fujimoto ◽  
Makoto Kinoshita ◽  
Teru Kamogashira ◽  
Naoya Egami ◽  
Takuya Kawahara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Vestibular Stimulation ◽  
Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation ◽  
Foam Rubber ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
Eyes Open ◽  
Optimal Intensity ◽  
Effective Intensity

AbstractAmeliorating effect of noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS) on posture varies among subjects. In this feasibility study, we investigated the association between original postural instability and the ameliorating effect of nGVS on posture. Data were collected in a previously published study. Thirty healthy elderly were recruited. Two nGVS sessions (30 min or 3 h) were performed in a randomised order. The optimal intensity of nGVS, the most effective intensity for improving posture, was determined before each session. Posture was measured for 30 s during and after nGVS in the eyes-closed/foam rubber condition. The velocity, envelopment area, and root mean square of the centre of pressure movement without nGVS were significantly larger in the group with an optimal intensity than those in the group without an optimal intensity. There was a significant positive correlation between these values and the long-term ameliorating effects. The ratio of the values in the eyes-closed/foam rubber condition to those in the eyes-open condition was significantly larger in the group with an optimal intensity, and had a significant correlation with the long-term ameliorating effects. The ameliorating effects are greater in subjects who were originally unstable and in those whose postural stability was relatively independent of vestibular input.

scholarly journals Posture and gait in the early course of schizophrenia

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0245661
Author(s):  
Valentina Presta ◽  
Francesca Paraboschi ◽  
Filippo Marsella ◽  
Valeria Lucarini ◽  
Daniela Galli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stride Length ◽  
Gait Pattern ◽  
Clinical Tool ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Gait Parameters ◽  
Documented Information ◽  
Eyes Open ◽  
Profile Characteristic ◽  
Eye Closure ◽  
Early Schizophrenia

While correlations between postural stability deficits and schizophrenia are well documented, information on dynamic motor alterations in schizophrenia are still scarce, and no data on their onset are available yet. Therefore, the aim of this study was i) to measure gait pattern(s) in patients with schizophrenia; ii) to identify posture and gait alterations which could potentially be used as a predictive clinical tool of the onset of the disorder. Body composition, posture and gait parameters were assessed in a group of 30 patients with schizophrenia and compared to 25 healthy subjects. Sway area was significantly higher in the schizophrenia group compared to controls regardless of whether the participants were in eyes open or eyes closed condition. Gait cadence and speed were significantly lower in patients with schizophrenia, while stride length was similar. We concluded that the combination of an increased sway area (independent from eye closure) and a gait cadence reduction—in the presence of normal gait speed and stride length—might be considered peculiar postural and gait profile characteristic of early schizophrenia.

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