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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #271356
Title: Muscle performance and physical function are associated with voluntary rate of neuromuscular activation in older adults

Author
item CLARK, DAVID - University Of Florida
item PATTEN, CAROLYNN - Us Army Medical Department
item REDI, KIERAN - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University
item CARABELLO, ROBERT - Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
item FIELDING, ROGER - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University

Submitted to: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/6/2010
Publication Date: 1/1/2011
Citation: Clark, D.J., Patten, C., Redi, K.F., Carabello, R.J., Fielding, R.A. 2011. Muscle performance and physical function are associated with voluntary rate of neuromuscular activation in older adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 58(1):1918-1924.

Interpretive Summary: Muscle power is related to mobility function in older adults, and effective power production requires rapid neuromuscular activation. Accordingly, this study examines the association of neuromuscular activation rate with muscle performance in persons of different age and mobility function. Slowing of neuromuscular activation rate is associated with compromised dynamic muscle performance, which may contribute to mobility limitations in some older adults. Future research should identify the precise neurophysiological impairments that contribute to declines in neuromuscular activation rate and mobility function with aging.

Technical Abstract: Participants were recruited to three experimental groups: middle-aged healthy adults (MH), older healthy adults (OH), and older adults with mobility limitations (OML). OH and OML were primarily differentiated by performance on the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Muscle performance (acceleration and power) and electromyography (EMG) were recorded during a maximal-effort leg press task at an absolute resistance (260 N) and at a relative resistance (70% of the one-repetition maximum [1RM]). Neuromuscular activation rate was quantified as pre-movement time (duration between EMG onset and movement onset) and the rate of EMG rise. Pre-movement time, rate of EMG rise, leg press acceleration, and leg press power were lower in OML relative to MH and OH but did not differ between OH and MH, with the exception of power at 70% 1RM. Across all older participants, rate of EMG rise was positively associated with acceleration, power, and the SPPB score.