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Review
. 2023 Jun 22:14:1194889.
doi: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1194889. eCollection 2023.

Unraveling age-related impairment of the neuromuscular system: exploring biomechanical and neurophysiological perspectives

M Nùñez-Lisboa  1   2 , M Valero-Breton  2 , A H Dewolf  1
Affiliations
Review

Unraveling age-related impairment of the neuromuscular system: exploring biomechanical and neurophysiological perspectives

M Nùñez-Lisboa et al. Front Physiol. .

Abstract

With extended life expectancy, the quality of life of elders is a priority. Loss of mobility, increased morbidity and risks of falls have dramatic individual and societal impacts. Here we consider the age-related modifications of gait, from a biomechanical and neurophysiological perspective. Among the many factors of frailty involved (e.g., metabolic, hormonal, immunological), loss of muscle strength and neurodegenerative changes inducing slower muscle contraction may play a key role. We highlight that the impact of the multifactorial age-related changes in the neuromuscular systems results in common features of gait in the immature gait of infants and older adults. Besides, we also consider the reversibility of age-related neuromuscular deterioration by, on the one hand, exercise training, and the other hand, novel techniques such as direct spinal stimulation (tsDCS).

Keywords: direct current spinal stimulation; gait; neuromechanics; physio-mechanics; walking pattern.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The handling editor LP-T declared a past co-authorship with the author AD.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
General features of gait in older adults. (A) spatiotemporal maps of motoneuron activity of the lumbosacral enlargement in neonates, toddlers, preschoolers, adults and older adults, and the delay between the activation of lumbar and sacral activation (data from Ivanenko et al. (2013) for neonates, toddlers, preschoolers and adults, and from Dewolf et al. (2021a) for older adults). (B) Schematic representation of walking like an inverted-pendulum. Below, representative vertical loading force during stepping in neonates, toddlers, preschoolers, adults and in older adults. The characteristic force profile was evaluated using the ratio between the leading limb and the tailing limb. (C) Intersegmental coordination assessed by principal component analysis (PCA) of limb segment elevation angles during walking. From left to right: thigh, shank, and foot elevation angles (relative to the vertical), corresponding 3D trajectory in segment angle space along with the interpolated plane (modified from Ivanenko et al. (2008)). Three examples of gait loops are presented (one toddler, one adult and one older adults). Below, changes in the orientation of the covariance plane during walking over different surfaces in toddlers, adults and older adults (modified from Dominici et al. (2010) and from Dewolf et al. (2021b)).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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