Transformational mechanism(s) of neuromuscular activation and performance in human development

人类发育中神经肌肉激活和表现的转化机制

• 批准号: RGPIN-2020-05952
• 负责人: Falk, Bareket
• 金额: $ 2.4万
• 依托单位: Brock University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=718121
• 关键词: Transformational; mechanism; neuromuscular; activation; performance

Many factors affect muscular force and power. The proposed research program focuses on neurophysiological factors with the overall goal of establishing a comprehensive understanding of muscle functional control mechanisms and factors affecting them. We will examine peripheral, central and hormonal factors using a unique approach highlighted by the childadult transition model, whereby known physiologic and functional muscular changes are associated with known muscle activation changes. Human maturation, particularly the pubertal period, involves wide-ranging changes. Size-normalized muscle force, speed, and power increase dramatically, while the nature of motor-unit (MU) utilization and muscle composition, also appear to change. Understanding the factors determining MU activation is central to understanding muscle functional control and neuromotor development and will be examined through the child-adult transition model. During the next 5 years, we will study peripheral and central indicators of MU activation and their inter-relationship during maturation. These indicators will be examined via traditional surface electromyography (EMG) as well as by the recently-developed technology allowing for the spatial and temporal decomposition of multiple simultaneous EMG signals. This non-invasive technique, ethically suitable for children, allows for identification of individual MUs during muscle contraction and thus, allows for characterization of distinct MU groups and activation patterns. We will explore those patterns, along with known peripheral indicators of MU activation, such as activation deficit and high-threshold MU recruitment onset, in children and adults of both sexes. Changes in the inter-relationship of these indicators, during the childadult transition period, will shed light on the relative contribution of peripheral vs. central factors affecting muscle function. Since hormonal changes characterize the childadult transition period and have been shown responsible for numerous maturational- and sex-related functional changes, hormonal effects (mainly, sex hormones) will also be investigated as possible determinants of muscle activation and its control. Finally, the potential of external interventions, such as specific forms of physical training, to affect muscle activation capacity (e.g., activation deficit, onset of higher-threshold MU recruitment) will be investigated to shed light on the involved control mechanisms. This work is important for understanding the fundamental mechanisms underlying changes in muscle functional and metabolic characteristics, and will provide novel insights into the fundamental nature of neuromotor development. Since most pediatric conditioning and rehabilitation programs are based on adult-originated data, our work will also inform age-appropriate strategies to enhance neuromuscular function.

影响肌肉力量和力量的因素很多。拟建的研究项目以神经生理因素为重点，总体目标是建立对肌肉功能控制机制及其影响因素的全面了解。我们将使用儿童-成人过渡模型强调的独特方法来检查外周、中枢和激素因素，其中已知的生理和功能性肌肉变化与已知的肌肉激活变化相关。