Neural Plasticity with Age: Unilateral Maximal Strength Training Augments Efferent Neural Drive to the Contralateral Limb in Older Adults

作者：Toien Tiril^*; Unhjem Runar; Oren Thomas Storehaug; Kvellestad Ann Charlotte Gjertsen; Hoff Jan; Wang Eivind

来源：Journals of Gerontology Series A-Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 2018, 73(5): 596-602.

DOI：10.1093/gerona/glx218

• Human aging
• Brain aging
• Exercise
• Evoked potentials

Efferent neural drive during strong muscle contractions is attenuated with age, even after life-long strength training. However, it is unknown if this deterioration may impede contralateral neural plasticity, and limit the clinical value of unilateral strength training. We assessed muscle force-generating capacity, evoked potentials recordings (V-wave and H-reflex normalized to M-wave; V/M-ratio and H/M-ratio) and voluntary activation (VA) in the plantar flexors of the contralateral limb following unilateral maximal strength training (MST) with the dominant limb for 3 weeks (nine sessions). Twenty-three 73 +/- 4(SD) year old males were randomized to a MST group (N = 11), exercising with an intensity of similar to 90% of maximal strength, or a control group (CG, N = 12). MST improved contralateral maximal strength (107.6 +/- 27.0 to 119.1 +/- 34.8 Nm; 10%) and rate of force development (197.3 +/- 54.1 to 232.8 +/- 77.7 Nm s(-1); 18%) (both p < .05). These strength gains were associated with (r = 0.465-0.608) an enhanced soleus V/M-ratio (0.12 +/- 0.09 to 0.21 +/- 0.17) and VA (79.5 +/- 5.1 to 83.3 +/- 5.2%) (all p < .05). H/M-ratio (10% maximal strength) remained unaltered after MST, and no changes were apparent in the CG. In conclusion, cross-limb effects in older adults are regulated by efferent neural drive enhancement, and advocate the clinical relevance of MST to improve neuromuscular function in individuals with conditions that results in unilateral strength reductions.

• 出版日期2018-5