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European Journal of Applied Physiology
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology 6/2015

01-06-2015 | Original Article

Age and sex differences in steadiness of elbow flexor muscles with imposed cognitive demand

Authors: Hugo M. Pereira, Vincent C. Spears, Bonnie Schlinder-Delap, Tejin Yoon, Kristy A. Nielson, Sandra K. Hunter

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 6/2015

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Abstract

Purpose

These studies determined (1) age- and sex-related differences in steadiness of isometric contractions when high cognitive demand was imposed across a range of forces with the elbow flexor muscles (study 1) and; (2) sex differences in steadiness among older adults when low cognitive demand was imposed (study 2).

Methods

36 young adults (18–25 years; 18 women) and 30 older adults (60–82 years; 17 women) performed isometric contractions at 5, 30 and 40 % of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). Study 1 involved a high-cognitive demand session (serial subtractions by 13 during the contraction) and a control session (no mental math). Study 2 (older adults only) involved a low-cognitive demand session (subtracting by 1s).

Results

Older individuals exhibited greater increases in force fluctuations (coefficient of variation of force, CV) with high cognitive demand than young adults, with the largest age difference at 5 % MVC (P = 0.01). Older adults had greater agonist EMG activity with high-cognitive demand and women had greater coactivation than men (P < 0.05). In study 2, CV of force increased with low cognitive demand for the older women but not for the older men (P = 0.03).

Conclusion

Older adults had reduced steadiness and increased muscle activation when high cognitive demand was imposed while low cognitive demand induced increased force fluctuations in older women but not older men. These findings have implications for daily and work-related tasks that involve cognitive demand performed simultaneously during submaximal isometric contractions in an aging workforce.
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Metadata
Title
Age and sex differences in steadiness of elbow flexor muscles with imposed cognitive demand
Authors
Hugo M. Pereira
Vincent C. Spears
Bonnie Schlinder-Delap
Tejin Yoon
Kristy A. Nielson
Sandra K. Hunter
Publication date
01-06-2015
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 6/2015
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-015-3113-0

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