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01-01-2014 | Research Article

Modulation between bilateral legs and within unilateral muscle synergists of postural muscle activity changes with development and aging

Authors: Hiroki Obata, Masaki O. Abe, Kei Masani, Kimitaka Nakazawa

Published in: Experimental Brain Research | Issue 1/2014

Abstract

The effect of development and aging on common modulation between bilateral plantarflexors (i.e., the right and left soleus, and the right and left medial gastrocnemius) (bilateral comodulation) and within plantarflexors in one leg (i.e., the right soleus and the right medial gastrocnemius) (unilateral comodulation) was investigated during bipedal quiet standing by comparing electromyography–electromyography (EMG) coherence among three age groups: adult (23–35 years), child (6–8 years), and elderly (60–80 years). The results demonstrate that there was significant coherence between bilateral plantarflexors and within plantarflexors in one leg in the 0- to 4-Hz frequency region in all three age groups. Coherence in this frequency region was stronger in the elderly group than in the adult group, while no difference was found between the adult and child groups. Of particular interest was the finding of significant coherence in bilateral and unilateral EMG recordings in the 8- to 12-Hz frequency region in some subjects in the elderly group, whereas it was not observed in the adult and child groups. These results suggest that aging affects the organization of bilateral and unilateral postural muscle activities (i.e., bilateral and unilateral comodulation) in the plantarflexors during quiet standing.

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Title: Modulation between bilateral legs and within unilateral muscle synergists of postural muscle activity changes with development and aging
Authors: Hiroki Obata
Masaki O. Abe
Kei Masani
Kimitaka Nakazawa
Publication date: 01-01-2014
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Experimental Brain Research / Issue 1/2014
Print ISSN: 0014-4819
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1106
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-013-3702-2

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Modulation between bilateral legs and within unilateral muscle synergists of postural muscle activity changes with development and aging

Abstract

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