Do motoneuron discharge rates slow with aging? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
Mechanisms of Ageing and Development
Volume
203
Publisher
Elsevier
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences
RAS ID
51935
Abstract
Nervous system maladaptation is linked to the loss of maximal strength and motor control with aging. Motor unit discharge rates are a critical determinant of force production; thus, lower discharge rates could be a mechanism underpinning maximal strength and motor control losses during aging. This meta-analysis summarized the findings of studies comparing motor unit discharge rates between young and older adults, and examined the effects of the selected muscle and contraction intensity on the magnitude of discharge rate difference between these two groups. Estimates from 29 studies, across a range of muscles and contraction intensities, were combined in a multilevel meta-analysis, to investigate whether discharge rates differed between young and older adults. Motor unit discharge rates were higher in younger than older adults, with a pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) of 0.66 (95%CI= 0.29–1.04). Contraction intensity had a significant effect on the pooled SMD, with a 1% increase in intensity associated with a 0.009 (95%CI= 0.003–0.015) change in the pooled SMD. These findings suggest that reductions in motor unit discharge rates, especially at higher contraction intensities, may be an important mechanism underpinning age-related losses in maximal force production.
DOI
10.1016/j.mad.2022.111647
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Comments
Orssatto, L. B., Borg, D. N., Pendrith, L., Blazevich, A. J., Shield, A. J., & Trajano, G. S. (2022). Do motoneuron discharge rates slow with aging? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, 111647. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mad.2022.111647