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Altered Neuromuscular Control and Beta-Band Cortical Compensation During Gait in Sarcopenia: An Exploratory Study
Zengguang Wang1,2, Binbin Wang1,2, Xiaoyan Zhang3
1Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopaedic Implants and Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200011, China.
Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 26, 2026
Summary
Sarcopenia, a muscle-wasting condition, impairs gait due to neuromuscular changes. Increased brain activity in the beta band suggests inefficient neural compensation for reduced muscle function, highlighting the need for neuromuscular rehabilitation.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Gerontology
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Sarcopenia involves age-related loss of muscle mass and function, impacting mobility.
- The precise neuromuscular mechanisms behind sarcopenia-related gait dysfunction are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate neuromuscular and cortical activity alterations during gait in individuals with sarcopenia.
Main Methods:
- Gait analysis using motion capture and spatiotemporal parameters.
- Surface electromyography (sEMG) for muscle activity and phase-specific analysis.
- Electroencephalography (EEG) with spectral and graph-theoretical analysis for functional connectivity.
Main Results:
- Sarcopenic individuals showed reduced gait speed, shorter step length, and altered gait phases.
- Tibialis anterior muscle exhibited altered activation patterns.
- Increased beta-band functional connectivity in frontal, central, and parietal brain regions was observed.
Conclusions:
- Sarcopenia is linked to significant neuromuscular alterations affecting gait.
- Elevated beta-band connectivity may indicate inefficient neural compensation for gait impairment.
- Neuromuscular coordination is a critical target for sarcopenia rehabilitation.
