Variability of motor unit discharge and force fluctuations across a range of muscle forces in older adults

Authors

Brian L. Tracy, University of Colorado at Boulder
Katrina S. Maluf, University of Colorado at Boulder
Jennifer L. Stephenson, University of Colorado
Sandra K. Hunter, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

8 p.

Publication Date

10-2005

Publisher

Wiley

Source Publication

Muscle & Nerve

Source ISSN

1097-4598

Original Item ID

doi: 10.1002/mus.20392

Abstract

Variability of motor unit discharge is a likely contributor to the greater force fluctuations observed in old adults at low muscle forces. We sought to determine whether the variability of motor unit discharge rate underlies the fluctuations in force during steady contractions across a range of forces in young (n = 11) and old (n = 14) adults. The coefficient of variation (CV) for discharge rate and force were measured during a force-matching task as the first dorsal interosseous muscle performed isometric contractions. The recruitment thresholds of the 78 motor units ranged from 0.04% to 34% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force. The CV for discharge rate ranged from 7.6% to 46.2% and was greater (P < 0.05) for old adults (21.5% ± 7.7%) than young adults (17.3% ± 8.1%). Although the CV for force was similar for young and old subjects (2.53% ± 1.6%) across all target forces, it was greater for old adults at the lowest forces. Furthermore, there was a positive relation (r² = 0.20, P < 0.001) between the CV for force and the CV for discharge rate across the range of recruitment thresholds. This relation was significant for old adults (r² = 0.30, P < 0.001), but not for young adults (r² = 0.06, P > 0.05). Thus, the normalized variability (CV) of motor unit discharge was greater in old adults and was related to the amplitude of force fluctuations across a broader range of forces than previously examined. These findings underscore the contribution of variability of motor unit activity to motor output in normal human aging. Muscle Nerve, 2005

Comments

Accepted version. Muscle & Nerve, Vol. 32, No. 4 (October 2005). DOI: 10.1002/mus.20392. The definitive version is available at www3.interscience.wiley.com. © 2005 Wiley. Used with permission.

The author was affiliated with University of Colorado by the time this article was published

Recommended Citation

Tracy, Brian L.; Maluf, Katrina S.; Stephenson, Jennifer L.; and Hunter, Sandra K., "Variability of motor unit discharge and force fluctuations across a range of muscle forces in older adults" (2005). Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications. 12.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/exsci_fac/12