Corticospinal Adaptation to Short-Term Horizontal Balance Perturbation Training.

Sensorimotor training and strength training can improve balance control. Currently, little is known about how repeated balance perturbation training affects balance performance and its neural mechanisms. This study investigated corticospinal adaptation assessed by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and Hoffman-reflex (H-reflex) measurements during balance perturbation induced by perturbation training.

Modulation of H-reflex and V-wave responses during dynamic balance perturbations.

Motoneuron excitability is possible to measure using H-reflex and V-wave responses. However, it is not known how the motor control is organized, how the H-reflex and V-wave responses modulate and how repeatable these are during dynamic balance perturbations. To assess the repeatability, 16 participants (8 men, 8 women) went through two, identical measurement sessions with ~ 48 h intervals, where maximal isometric plantar flexion (IMVC) and dynamic balance perturbations in horizontal, anterior-posterior direction were performed.

Reliability of transcranial magnetic stimulation and H-reflex measurement during balance perturbation tasks.

Following ankle movement, posterior balance perturbation evokes short- (SLR ∼30-50 ms), medium- (MLR ∼50-60 ms), and long-latency responses (LLR ∼70-90 ms) in soleus muscle before voluntary muscle contraction. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and Hoffmann-reflex (H-reflex) measurements can provide insight into the contributions of corticospinal and spinal mechanisms to each response. Motor evoked potential (MEP) and H-reflex responses have shown good reliability in some dynamic muscle contraction tasks.

Modulations of corticospinal excitability following rapid ankle dorsiflexion in skill- and endurance-trained athletes.

Purpose: Long-term sports training, such as skill and endurance training, leads to specific neuroplasticity. However, it remains unclear if muscle stretch-induced proprioceptive feedback influences corticospinal facilitation/inhibition differently between skill- and endurance-trained athletes. This study investigated modulation of corticospinal excitability following rapid ankle dorsiflexion between well-trained skill and endurance athletes.

Older Age Increases the Amplitude of Muscle Stretch-Induced Cortical Beta-Band Suppression But Does not Affect Rebound Strength.

Healthy aging is associated with deterioration of the sensorimotor system, which impairs balance and somatosensation. However, the exact age-related changes in the cortical processing of sensorimotor integration are unclear. This study investigated primary sensorimotor cortex (SM1) oscillations in the 15-30 Hz beta band at rest and following (involuntary) rapid stretches to the triceps surae muscles (i.

Neuromuscular Performance and Hormonal Profile During Military Training and Subsequent Recovery Period.

Introduction: Military training loads may induce different physiological responses in garrison and field training and only a little is known about how short-time recovery, lasting a few days, affects neuromuscular fitness and hormonal profile. This study aimed to investigate the effects of garrison and field military service on neuromuscular performance and hormonal profile and to evaluate the effects of a 3-day recovery on those factors.

Methods: Twenty healthy male soldiers (20 ± 1 years) participated in the study, which consisted of 4 days of garrison training [days (D) 1-4] and 7 days of military field training (Days 5-12) followed by a 3-day recovery period (Day 15).

Neuromuscular Adaptations to Short-Term High-Intensity Interval Training in Female Ice-Hockey Players.

Kinnunen, J-V, Piitulainen, H, and Piirainen, JM. Neuromuscular adaptations to short-term high-intensity interval training in female ice-hockey players. J Strength Cond Res 33(2): 479-485, 2019-High-intensity interval training (HIIT)-related neuromuscular adaptations, changes in force production, and on-ice performance were investigated in female ice-hockey players during preseason.

Effects of plyometric and pneumatic explosive strength training on neuromuscular function and dynamic balance control in 60-70year old males.

The present study compared neuromuscular adaptations to 12weeks of plyometric (PLY) or pneumatic (PNE) power training and their effects on dynamic balance control. Twenty-two older adults aged 60-70 (PLY n=9, PNE n=11) participated in the study. Measurements were conducted at Pre, 4, 8 and 12weeks.

Age-related neuromuscular function and dynamic balance control during slow and fast balance perturbations.

This study investigated age-related differences in dynamic balance control and its connection to reflexes and explosive isometric plantar flexor torque in 19 males (9 Young aged 20-33 yr, 10 Elderly aged 61-72 yr). Dynamic balance was measured during Slow (15 cm/s) and Fast (25 cm/s) anterior and posterior perturbations. H/M-ratio was measured at 20% of maximal M-wave (H/M20%) 10, 30, and 90 ms after perturbations.

Effects of neuromuscular function and split step on reaction speed in simulated tennis response.

The purpose of this study was to examine whether split step (small hop before step) would be more beneficial than no-split condition in simulated tennis response situation. In addition, it was studied if movement time of the response is related to separately measured force production capabilities and reflex sensitivity of the players. Nine skilled male tennis players participated in this study.

Neuromuscular function during drop jumps in young and elderly males.

The Hoffman reflex (H-reflex), indicating alpha-motoneuron pool activity, has been shown to be task - and in resting conditions - age dependent. How aging affects H-reflex activity during explosive movements is not clear at present. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of aging on H-reflexes during drop jumps, and its possible role in drop jump performance.

Effects of a heart rate-based recovery period on hormonal, neuromuscular, and aerobic performance responses during 7 weeks of strength training in men.

The purpose of this study was to compare hormonal, neuromuscular, and aerobic performance changes between a constant 2-minute interset recovery time and an interset recovery time based on individual heart rate (HR) responses during a 7-week (3 sessions per week, 3 × 10 repetition maximum [RM]) hypertrophic strength training period. The HR-dependent recovery time was determined with a Polar FT80 HR monitor, whereas the control groups used constant 2-minute periods between sets. From 24 male subjects who were divided in 2 equal groups, 21 completed the study (FT80, n = 12; CONTROL, n = 9).

Effect of body composition on the neuromuscular function of Finnish conscripts during an 8-week basic training period.

The dropout rate in the Finnish military service has increased during the past two decades. At the same time, the physical fitness level of young Finnish males has decreased, possibly leading to overtraining in new conscripts. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether body composition would influence neuromuscular function during the 8-week basic training (BT) period.