scholarly journals The Dynamic Motor Control Index as a Marker of Age-Related Neuromuscular Impairment

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley N. Collimore ◽  
Ashlyn J. Aiello ◽  
Ryan T. Pohlig ◽  
Louis N. Awad
Keyword(s):  
Motor Control ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Neuromuscular Control ◽  
Muscle Synergies ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Index Study ◽  
Two Measures ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Young Old ◽  
Neuromuscular Impairment

Biomarkers that can identify age-related decline in walking function have potential to promote healthier aging by triggering timely interventions that can mitigate or reverse impairments. Recent evidence suggests that changes in neuromuscular control precede changes in walking function; however, it is unclear which measures are best suited for identifying age-related changes. In this study, non-negative matrix factorization of electromyography data collected during treadmill walking was used to calculate two measures of the complexity of muscle co-activations during walking for 36 adults: (1) the number of muscle synergies and (2) the dynamic motor control index. Study participants were grouped into young (18–35 years old), young-old (65–74 years old), and old–old (75+ years old) subsets. We found that the dynamic motor control index [χ2(2) = 9.41, p = 0.009], and not the number of muscle synergies [χ2(2) = 5.42, p = 0.067], differentiates between age groups [χ2(4) = 10.62, p = 0.031, Nagelkerke R2 = 0.297]. Moreover, an impairment threshold set at a dynamic motor control index of 90 (i.e., one standard deviation below the young adults) was able to differentiate between age groups [χ2(2) = 9.351, p = 0.009]. The dynamic motor control index identifies age-related differences in neuromuscular complexity not measured by the number of muscle synergies and may have clinical utility as a marker of neuromotor impairment.

scholarly journals Age-Related Differences in Muscle Synergy Organization during Step Ascent at Different Heights and Directions

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1987 ◽  
Author(s):  
Remco J. Baggen ◽  
Jaap H. van Dieën ◽  
Evelien Van Roie ◽  
Sabine M. Verschueren ◽  
Georgios Giarmatzis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Control ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Neuromuscular Control ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Step Height ◽  
Muscle Synergy ◽  
Age Related

The aim of this study was to explore the underlying age-related differences in dynamic motor control during different step ascent conditions using muscle synergy analysis. Eleven older women (67.0 y ± 2.5) and ten young women (22.5 y ± 1.6) performed stepping in forward and lateral directions at step heights of 10, 20 and 30 cm. Surface electromyography was obtained from 10 lower limb and torso muscles. Non-negative matrix factorization was used to identify sets of (n) synergies across age groups and stepping conditions. In addition, variance accounted for (VAF) by the detected number of synergies was compared to assess complexity of motor control. Finally, correlation coefficients of muscle weightings and between-subject variability of the temporal activation patterns were calculated and compared between age groups and stepping conditions. Four synergies accounted for >85% VAF across age groups and stepping conditions. Age and step height showed a significant negative correlation with VAF during forward stepping but not lateral stepping, with lower VAF indicating higher synergy complexity. Muscle weightings showed higher similarity across step heights in older compared to young women. Neuromuscular control of young and community-dwelling older women could not be differentiated based on the number of synergies extracted. Additional analyses of synergy structure and complexity revealed subtle age- and step-height-related differences, indicating that older women rely on more complex neuromuscular control strategies.

scholarly journals Dual-Task Costs in Gait Speed Differs Across Age Groups

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 901-901
Author(s):  
Sally Paulson ◽  
Michelle Gray ◽  
Joshua Gills ◽  
Anthony Campitelli ◽  
Megan Jones ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dual Task ◽  
Gait Speed ◽  
Oldest Old ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Arithmetic Task ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Dual Task Cost ◽  
Young Old ◽  
Secondary Stimulus

Abstract With age, there are simultaneous reductions in gait speed (GS). This decrease in GS has been associated with an increased fall risk and negatively impacts independence. Further, GS naturally declines with the addition of a secondary stimulus (i.e., cognitive requirements). Combined, these decrements can be additive in nature potentially leading to robust declines with advancing age. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine age-related effects of dual-task cost (DTC) while walking. Adults (N = 145), over the age of 45 years, completed two walking trials for each GS condition: habitual (HAB) and fast (FST), with and without a DT (i.e., counting backwards by serials of three). Subjects were classified into four age groups: youngest-old (YG ≤ 64 years, n = 24), young-old (YO, 65-74 years, n = 46), middle-old (MO = 75-84 years, n = 54), and oldest-old (OO ≥ 85 years, n = 21). DTC was calculated and ANOVAs were used to assess differences between the groups. There was no difference in HAB DTC between the age groups (p=.61). However, there was a significant difference in FST DTC (p=.04) between the YO (M±SD: -14 ± -11%) and OO (M±SD: -24 ± -12%). These data indicate there was an age-related affect for fast dual-task cost, but not for habitual dual-task cost while walking. An increase in dual-task cost among the oldest-old may be associated with an inability to properly maintain a faster cadence while performing an arithmetic task which may be related to task prioritization.

Map Learning in Normal Aging: The Role of Individual Visuo-Spatial Abilities and Implications

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 205-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Meneghetti ◽  
Veronica Muffato ◽  
Erika Borella ◽  
Rossana De Beni
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Spatial Working Memory ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Normal Aging ◽  
Map Learning ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Pointing Task ◽  
Young Old ◽  
Sketch Map

Objective: The present study analyzes the age-related differences in map learning between young and normally-aging young-old and old-old adults in relation to individual visuo-spatial factors to specify which aspects of spatial learning are susceptible to aging. Methods: Forty young, 40 young-old and 40 old-old participants performed a series of tasks to assess their visuo-spatial working memory (VSWM) and visuo-spatial (rotation) abilities, then they studied a map. To test their recall, they graphically reproduced the map in a freehand drawing, then performed a sketch map task (which involved placing a list of landmarks on a blank layout of the map) and a pointing task (adopting aligned and counter-aligned imaginary positions). Results: The results showed that age-related differences depend on the type of recall task performed: in the pointing and freehand map-drawing tasks, the young-old and old-old performed worse than the young adults; but in the sketch map task, the young-old performed as well as the young adults and only the old-old’s performance was worse than that of the other two age groups. Concerning the role of individual factors, VSWM and rotation abilities were found strongly involved in the pointing task (especially for counter-aligned pointing) and the freehand map-drawing task. Conclusion: Overall, these results suggest that different factors related to spatial (map) learning explain age-related differences in normal aging. The implications of the present results in normal and pathological aging, and for the purposes of clinical assessments and interventions, are discussed.

Age-Related Differences in Performance Using a Mouse and Trackball

1998 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 152-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Bohan ◽  
Alex Chaparro
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Motor Control ◽  
Performance Measures ◽  
Significant Interaction ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Error Rates ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Target Characteristics

Aging is marked by changes in motor control which may be expected to affect performance using computer pointing devices. In this experiment, we compared older and younger adults' ability to acquire on-screen targets of varying distance and size using a mouse and trackball. The older adults moved consistently slower than their younger counterparts with both devices, particularly when making large amplitude movements. Error rates were equivalent for both age groups across all conditions. Analysis of throughput values indicated a significant interaction between age and device in which the younger adults' performance was more degraded when using the trackball than the mouse, while the older adults' performance did not vary across devices. These results are discussed in terms of potential error-averse strategies employed by the older participants in an attempt to compensate for age-related declines in motor control. Although the performance measures obtained in this study imply that older adults would perform equivalently using either the mouse or the trackball, it is not known whether these results generalize to other experimental conditions including different movement tasks, and target characteristics.

scholarly journals Consumption dietary sources of lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin among young adults living in megapolis

10.5219/1633 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 917-925
Author(s):  
Aleksei Korolev ◽  
Ekaterina Kirpichenkova ◽  
Elena Nikitenko ◽  
Elena Denisova ◽  
Elena Fanda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Natural Antioxidants ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Visual Performance ◽  
Active Forms Of Oxygen ◽  
Food Frequency ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Spring Onion ◽  
Study Participants

Carotenoids are natural antioxidants, affecting apoptosis, absorbing active forms of oxygen, and improving visual performance through their blue light filtering capabilities. Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids of the macular pigment that play a significant role in protecting against age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy. We analyzed the dietary sources of lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin of young adults living in a megapolis. We analyzed 431 food frequency questionnaires and used two different criteria for comparison: age (groups A1 and A2) and season (groups S1, spring, and S2, autumn). Raw red tomatoes and eggs are the main sources of carotenoids for the majority of respondents regardless of age and season. Significant differences between age groups were found for parsley, carrot, cheeseburger, and spring onion. Foods with high levels of carotenoids (tomato juice, pumpkin, spinach, and sprouts) were absent in the diets of most of the study participants. Watermelons and persimmons are seasonal sources of lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. Dietary sources of carotenoids are present in insufficient quantities in the diets. Foods with high levels of lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin are absent or only occasionally included in the diet.

scholarly journals Muscle synergy differences between voluntary and reactive backward stepping

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuaijie Wang ◽  
Gonzalo Varas-Diaz ◽  
Tanvi Bhatt
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Neuromuscular Control ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Muscle Synergy ◽  
Muscle Synergies ◽  
Limited Effect ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Different Populations ◽  
Reactive Stepping

AbstractReactive stepping responses are essential to prevent falls after a loss of balance. It has previously been well described that both voluntary and reactive step training could improve the efficacy of reactive stepping in different populations. However, the effect of aging on neuromuscular control during voluntary and reactive stepping remains unclear. Electromyography (EMG) signals during both backward voluntary stepping in response to an auditory cue and backward reactive stepping elicited by a forward slip-like treadmill perturbation during stance were recorded in ten healthy young adults and ten healthy older adults. Using muscle synergy analysis, we extracted the muscle synergies for both voluntary and reactive stepping. Our results showed that fewer muscle synergies were used during reactive stepping than during voluntary stepping in both young and older adults. Minor differences in the synergy structure were observed for both voluntary and reactive stepping between age groups. Our results indicate that there is a low similarity of muscle synergies between voluntary stepping and reactive stepping and that aging had a limited effect on the structure of muscle synergies. This study enhances our understanding of the neuromuscular basis of both voluntary and reactive stepping as well as the potential effect of aging on neuromuscular control during balance tasks.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE COORDINATED MOTOR RESPONSE AND VOLUNTARY SHIFT OF THE CENTER OF GRAVITY IN WOMEN AGED 85-95

2021 ◽  
pp. 592-598
Author(s):  
А.В. Дёмин ◽  
А.Н. Ильницкий
Keyword(s):  
Motor Control ◽  
Motor Response ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Center Of Gravity ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Subjective Perception ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Control Test ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Weight Shift

Цель работы - установить возрастные особенности скоординированных моторных реакций и целенаправленного движения центра тяжести (ЦТ) у женщин 85-95 лет. Были обследованы 68 женщин 85-95 лет (средний возраст - 89,3±3 года), которых разделили на две возрастные группы: 1-я - 37 женщин 85-89 лет (средний возраст - 86,9±1,6 года); 2-я - 31 женщина 90-95 лет (средний возраст - 92,1±1,4 года). Для реализации поставленной цели использовали компьютерный динамический постурографический (стабилометрический) комплекс «Smart Equitest Balance Manager» (США). Проводили следующие тесты: Motor Control Test (MCT) и тест Rhythmic Weight Shift (RWS). У большинства обследованных женщин 90-95 лет выявлено снижение композитной оценки латентности всего MCT (Composite of all Latencies), p=0,009. При этом сравнительный анализ теста RWS не выявил статистически значимых различий между возрастными группами. Установлены причинно-следственные связи показателей теста RWS и уровня возрастной самооценки. У женщин 90-95 лет не наблюдали снижения скорости целенаправленного движения и эффективного управления ЦТ во фронтальном и сагиттальном направлениях, при этом латентность скоординированных моторных реакций характеризовалась достоверно низкими значениями по сравнению с женщинами 85-89 лет. Таким образом, у женщин после 89 лет не происходит возрастных изменений процесса сенсомоторной интеграции, что также можно рассматривать как предиктор долгожительства. Полученные результаты позволили обозначить параметры MCT и теста RWS, которые можно учитывать при прогнозировании постуральных изменений и продолжительности жизни у женщин в старческом возрасте. The objective of this study was to identify the age-related peculiarities of the coordinated motor response and voluntary shift of the center of gravity (COG) in females aged 85-95. A total of 68 women within the age range of 85-95 were screened, mean age (М±SD) - 89,3±3. The first group comprised 37 women between the chronological ages of 85 and 89 (mean age: 86,9±1,6). The second group included 31 women aged 90-95 (mean age: 92,1±1,4). To achieve the stated objective the computer dynamic posturographic complex Smart Equitest Balance Manager (USA) was used. The following tests were conducted: Motor Control Test (MCT), Rhythmic Weight Shift Test (RWS). The tests revealed a decreasing Composite of all Latencies (p=0,009) in the majority of the surveyed women aged 90-95. However, a comparative analysis of the RWS test results showed no statistically significant differences between the age groups. Cause and effect relationships between the RWS test results and subjective perception of aging were established. Women aged 90-95 demonstrated no decrease in the speed of the voluntary shift and effective control of COG in frontal and sagittal planes, whereas the latency of their coordinated motor response was marked by reliably low numbers compared to women aged 85-89. Thus, women after 89 experience no age-related alterations in sensorimotor integration, which could be regarded as a predictor of longevity. The results obtained made it possible to outline the MCT and RWS parameters which can be taken into consideration in forecasting postural alterations and life expectancy for older women.

scholarly journals Children With Cerebral Palsy Have Greater Stride-to-Stride Variability of Muscle Synergies During Gait Than Typically Developing Children: Implications for Motor Control Complexity

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (9) ◽  
pp. 834-844 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yushin Kim ◽  
Thomas C. Bulea ◽  
Diane L. Damiano
Keyword(s):  
Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Motor Control ◽  
Clinical Utility ◽  
Neuromuscular Control ◽  
Muscle Synergy ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Muscle Synergies ◽  
Children With Cerebral Palsy ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Potential Clinical Utility

Background. There is mounting evidence that the central nervous system utilizes a modular approach for neuromuscular control of walking by activating groups of muscles in units termed muscle synergies. Examination of muscle synergies in clinical populations may provide insights into alteration of neuromuscular control underlying pathological gait patterns. Previous studies utilizing synergy analysis have reported reduced motor control complexity during walking in those with neurological deficits, revealing the potential clinical utility of this approach. Methods. We extracted muscle synergies on a stride-to-stride basis from 20 children with cerebral palsy (CP; Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I-II) and 8 children without CP, allowing the number of synergies to vary for each stride. Similar muscle synergies across all participants and strides were grouped using a k-means clustering and discriminant analysis. Results. In total, 10 clusters representing 10 distinct synergies were found across the 28 individuals. Relative to their total number of synergies deployed during walking, synergies from children with CP were present in a higher number of clusters than in children with typical development (TD), indicating significantly greater stride-to-stride variability. This increased variability was present despite reduced complexity, as measured by the mean number of synergies in each stride. Whereas children with CP demonstrate some novel synergies, they also deploy some of the same muscle synergies as those with TD, although less frequently and with more variability. Conclusion. A stride-by-stride approach to muscle synergy analysis expands its clinical utility and may provide a method to tailor rehabilitation strategies by revealing inconsistent but functional synergies in each child with CP.

scholarly journals Age-Related Dynamics in Post-Vaccine Antibody Immune Response to Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoid in Bulgarian Subjects

2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-52
Author(s):  
S. Lesichkova ◽  
S. Mihailova ◽  
A. Mihaylova ◽  
N. Gesheva ◽  
P. Yankova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tetanus Toxoid ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Vaccine Response ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Antibody Titers ◽  
Specific Igg ◽  
Bulgarian Population ◽  
Identification Of Persons ◽  
Study Participants

Abstract In this study, we investigated the age-related dynamics in post-vaccine humoral immunity to diphtheria (DT) and tetanus (TT) toxoids in the Bulgarian population. In addition, we attempted to correlate the titers of specific antibodies with the predisposition to more common infectious pathology among our study participants. The 208 individuals tested were divided into five age groups: 0-4, 4-6, 6-12, 12-17 and 17-66 years, based on the vaccines received according to the immunization schedule in Bulgaria. Vaccine response was determined by measuring the concentrations of specific IgG antibodies using commercial ELISA kits. Sufficient protective levels of diphtheria (> 0.1 IU/mL) and tetanus (> 0.15 IU/mL) antitoxin were detected in 63.5% and 85.1% of all subjects, respectively. The highest rates of protection against both TT (94.3%) and DT (79.2%) were observed in the youngest age group (0-4 years). We also observed a relatively high rate of insufficient protection (< 0.1 IU/ml) against diphtheria (36% of individuals tested across all age groups) in comparison to tetanus (14.9% of all subjects). The rate of insufficient protection against both antigens was higher among children with frequent infections. Moreover, 77.1% of the individuals having low antibody titers against the highly immunogenic tetanus toxoid, also had low levels of diphtheria antibodies. The level of seroprotection is better for tetanus than for diphtheria toxoid at any age. In conclusion, our data provide information on the level of immunity to diphtheria and tetanus among vaccinated individuals in Bulgaria and allows for the identification of persons suspected of having an immune deficiency. Additional investigations are needed in order to provide reliable recommendations for the national vaccine program and personalized vaccinations.

Nonlinear Analysis of Human Movement Dynamics Offers New Insights in the Development of Motor Control During Childhood

2018 ◽  
Vol 140 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Cristina Bisi ◽  
Paola Tamburini ◽  
Giulia Pacini Panebianco ◽  
Rita Stagni
Keyword(s):  
Motor Control ◽  
Postural Control ◽  
Motor Development ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Human Movement ◽  
Multiscale Entropy ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Trunk Acceleration ◽  
Motor Complexity

When aiming at assessing motor control development, natural walking (NW), and tandem walking (TW) are two locomotor tasks that allow analyzing different characteristics of motor control performance. NW is the reference locomotor task, expected to become more and more automatic with age. TW is a nonparadigmatic task used in clinics to highlight eventual impairments and to evaluate how a child deals with a new challenging motor experience. This work aims at investigating motor development in school-aged children, by assessing quantitatively their performance during TW and NW. Eighty children (6–10 years) participated in the study. Trunk acceleration data and nonlinear measures (recurrence quantification analysis (RQA), and multiscale entropy (MSE)) were used to characterize trunk postural control and motor complexity. The results were analyzed with respect to age and standard clinical assessment of TW (number of correct consecutive steps), by means of Spearman correlation coefficients. RQA and MSE allowed highlighting age-related changes in both postural control of the trunk and motor complexity, while classic standard assessment of TW resulted uniformly distributed in the different age groups. The present results suggest this quantitative approach as relevant when assessing the motor development in schoolchildren and complementary to standard clinical tests.

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