Quantifying the trainability of peripheral nerve function in young and older adults
Abstract
It is well known that the natural progression of age can result in motor neuron degeneration. Consequently, this leads to slowing of nerve conduction, denervation, and reduced motor function. Slowing nerve speed can alter an individual’s response time and could subsequently lead to increased fall risk and injury. Further exploration of potential counteractive measures to combat reduced nerve speed is warranted. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine if four weeks of hand resistance training can lead to positive adaptations in nerve speed in healthy untrained adults. We hypothesized that training would result in faster nerve speed in both younger and older adults, albeit the magnitude of change would be more substantial in younger participants. METHODS: Thirty-four subjects (18- 71 yrs) have completed this ongoing study so far (n = 27 younger, 7 older). Median nerve motor conduction velocity (NCV) was recorded before (PRE) and after (POST) four weeks of hand resistance training in both arms. Additional measures (e.g., nerve CSA, muscle CSA, MVC hand grip strength, and manual dexterity) were also obtained. Training was conducted three times per week with the use of hand grippers, grip bands and grip rings. RESULTS: Mixed factorial ANOVAs revealed significant increases in nerve conduction velocity for the young training and older training groups. Significant changes in nerve CSA were also discovered in both the young training and older training groups. The young training group showed significant increases in muscle CSA pre to post, however the young control was found to have decreased muscle CSA. No significant changes in muscle CSA were observed in the older training group. The young training group was found to have increased hand grip strength (MVC strength) after four weeks, while the other groups (e.g., young control and older training) did not. Finally, all groups demonstrated faster manual dexterity (both in placing and turning) speed pre to post. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that resistance training may be a reliable method to counteract NCV deficits in the short term. These results have the potential to improve the quality of life for our older populations
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- OSU Dissertations [11222]