Age- and Expertise-Related Differences of Sensorimotor Network Dynamics during Force Control
Solveig Vieluf1, Karin Mora2, Christian Gölz1
1Institute of Sports Medicine, Paderborn University, Paderborn, Germany.
Neuroscience
|July 27, 2018
Summary
Older adults show age-related declines in force control, but expertise can mitigate these effects. This study identified distinct electrophysiological patterns in brain networks associated with age and expertise in motor control.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control
- Human Aging
Background:
- Age-related force control deterioration affects behavior and neural activity.
- Extensive practice can reduce age-related motor control decline.
- Understanding electrophysiological differences is key to characterizing age and expertise effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify electrophysiological correlates of age- and expertise-related differences in force control.
- To compare brain network dynamics in young novices, older novices, and older experts performing a force maintenance task.
- To investigate the influence of age and expertise on sensorimotor and attentional network activity.
Main Methods:
- Electroencephalography (EEG) data collected during a force maintenance task.
- Analysis of force variability and complexity.
- Dynamic Mode Decomposition (DMD) applied to EEG to assess brain network dynamics and electrode interrelations.
- Focus on sensorimotor and attentional networks.
Main Results:
- Older novices exhibited more variable and less complex force control than young novices and older experts.
- EEG analysis revealed distinct spectral band changes (decreased α, increased θ, low β, high β) related to age and expertise.
- Older experts showed reduced attentional network activation compared to novices, suggesting different control strategies.
Conclusions:
- Age and expertise significantly modulate neural control strategies for force maintenance.
- Electrophysiological markers, particularly in sensorimotor and attentional networks, differentiate age and expertise levels.
- Findings highlight the potential for targeted training to counteract age-related motor control decline.
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