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Age and sex differences in steadiness of elbow flexor muscles with imposed cognitive demand

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Abstract

Purpose

These studies determined (1) age- and sex-related differences in steadiness of isometric contractions when high cognitive demand was imposed across a range of forces with the elbow flexor muscles (study 1) and; (2) sex differences in steadiness among older adults when low cognitive demand was imposed (study 2).

Methods

36 young adults (18–25 years; 18 women) and 30 older adults (60–82 years; 17 women) performed isometric contractions at 5, 30 and 40 % of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). Study 1 involved a high-cognitive demand session (serial subtractions by 13 during the contraction) and a control session (no mental math). Study 2 (older adults only) involved a low-cognitive demand session (subtracting by 1s).

Results

Older individuals exhibited greater increases in force fluctuations (coefficient of variation of force, CV) with high cognitive demand than young adults, with the largest age difference at 5 % MVC (P = 0.01). Older adults had greater agonist EMG activity with high-cognitive demand and women had greater coactivation than men (P < 0.05). In study 2, CV of force increased with low cognitive demand for the older women but not for the older men (P = 0.03).

Conclusion

Older adults had reduced steadiness and increased muscle activation when high cognitive demand was imposed while low cognitive demand induced increased force fluctuations in older women but not older men. These findings have implications for daily and work-related tasks that involve cognitive demand performed simultaneously during submaximal isometric contractions in an aging workforce.

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Abbreviations

CV:

Coefficient of variation

High-CD:

High-level cognitive demand

Low-CD:

Low-level cognitive demand

MAP:

Mean arterial pressure

MVC:

Maximal voluntary isometric contractions

RMS:

Root mean square

STAI:

State-trait anxiety inventory

VAS:

Visual analog scale

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by an NIA R15AG039697 award to SKH and KAN. Fulbright program and CAPES foundation supported HMP.

Conflict of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Therapy, Marquette University, P.O. Box 1881, Milwaukee, WI, 53201, USA

    Hugo M. Pereira, Vincent C. Spears, Bonnie Schlinder-Delap & Sandra K. Hunter

  2. Michigan Technological University, Houghton, USA

    Tejin Yoon

  3. Department of Psychology, Marquette University, Milwaukee, USA

    Kristy A. Nielson

Authors
  1. Hugo M. Pereira
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  2. Vincent C. Spears
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  3. Bonnie Schlinder-Delap
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  4. Tejin Yoon
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  5. Kristy A. Nielson
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  6. Sandra K. Hunter
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sandra K. Hunter.

Additional information

Communicated by Nicolas Place.

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Pereira, H.M., Spears, V.C., Schlinder-Delap, B. et al. Age and sex differences in steadiness of elbow flexor muscles with imposed cognitive demand. Eur J Appl Physiol 115, 1367–1379 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-015-3113-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-015-3113-0

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