Motor unit synchronisation and neuromuscular performance

Funded Activity Summary

The fine control of force is important for many everyday tasks such as writing, grasping objects between index finger and thumb, and fastening buttons. Factors that influence the ability to control force include the coordinated activation of groups of muscle fibres called single motor units. This proposal focuses on the concept that the coordinated activation of motor units is influenced by muscle activity and can impair the ability to produce finely controlled muscle contractions. The goal of these studies is to explore the boudary conditions of the adaptive nature of the nervous system to examine how coordinated motor unit activity influences these aspects of neuromuscular performance. The outcomes of these experiments will identify if altering muscle activity influences the control of movement by altering single motor unit activity. These results will have direct application to the interpretation of abnormal movement control and tremor that is observed in certain neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease. Furthermore, new information will be gained on the adaptability of the motor system and its role in the execution of fine motor tasks that may aid in the development of rehabilitation strategies following stroke or spinal cord injury.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2004

End Date: 01-01-2006

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $198,500.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Clinical pharmacy and pharmacy practice

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

Disuse/Immobilisation | Parkinsons Disease | Pathological tremors | Spinal cord injury | control of force | cross-correlation | motor unit synchronisation | muscle strength | tremor

Related Links