Resistance Training’s Role in Enhancing Neural Functioning Across Age Groups
The human nervous system is a complex structure that can be studied using non-invasive magnetic and electrical stimulation. However, previous studies have not focused on evaluating nervous system functioning separating cortical and spinal levels, specific test conditions, and the characteristics of the population. Gonzalo Gomez Guerrero’s research is the first to evaluate the reliability of the lumbar stimulation technique for studying the nervous system and its applicability across different populations following a strength training intervention.
Assessment of the cortico-spinal tract
The results have shown that transcranial magnetic stimulation and lumbar stimulation can be used reliably in a wide age range at different contraction intensities to assess cortico-spinal and spinal excitability. However, the selection of contraction intensity should be taken into consideration, because it seems to affect the results.
“These findings provide new tools to enable other scientists to explore neural adaptations and mechanisms with greater precision, enhancing our understanding of nervous system function and its response to different interventions, such as strength training, in both young and older adults.”
Aging and strength training
The results showed that older adults were weaker than their younger counterparts and they demonstrated high levels of cortico-spinal excitability. However, strength training increased strength in both groups, and a distinct neural adaptation pattern was observed in the older group who lowered their excitability to the level of the young. By isolating the spinal level functioning, it was observed that adaptations here led to those changes.
“These findings show that the methods to assess cortico-spinal changes can be used in intervention studies, highlighting the benefits of strength training by reversing the aging effect on neural functioning. This enables older adults to function at levels comparable to the younger adults.”
Gonzalo Gomez Guerrero (MSc) will defend his dissertation “Assessment of Cortico-spinal Functioning in Young and Older Adults: Effects of Resistance Training and Detraining” on 16 August 2024 at 12 noon in room L303 of the Liikunta building. His opponent is Associate Professor Jesper Lundbye-Jensen (University of Copenhagen, Denmark) and custos Academy Research Fellow Simon Walker (Ģֱ).
The event will also be streamed live:
The doctoral dissertation is available in the JYX digital repository:
More information:
Gonzalo Gomez Guerrero
gonzalo.g.gomez-guerrero@jyu.fi
Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, Ģֱ
