Minimum Electromyography Sensor Set Needed to Identify Age-Related Impairments in the Neuromuscular Control of Walking Using the Dynamic Motor Control Index.
Abstract
The dynamic motor control index is an emerging biomarker of age-related neuromuscular impairment. To date, it has been computed by quantifying the co-activity of eleven lower limb muscles. Because clinics that routinely employ electromyography typically collect from fewer muscles, a reduced muscle sensor set may improve the clinical usability of this metric of motor control. This study aimed to test if commonly used eight- and five-muscle electromyography (EMG) sensor sets produce similar dynamic motor control indices as the previously examined eleven-muscle sensor set and similarly differentiate across age subgroups. EMG data were collected during treadmill walking from 36 adults separated into young (N = 18, <35 yrs.), young-old (N = 13, 65-74 yrs.), and old-old (N = 5, ≥75 yrs.) subgroups. Dynamic motor control indices generated using the sensor set with eleven muscles correlated with the eight-muscle set (R
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Research summary
The paper addresses the dynamic motor control index as a biomarker for age-related neuromuscular impairment, which is relevant to understanding the physiological changes associated with aging. However, the study primarily focuses on the usability of electromyography sensor sets rather than addressing the root causes of aging or proposing solutions for lifespan extension. The findings may contribute to clinical practices but do not significantly advance the fundamental understanding of aging mechanisms. Thus, the impact is rated as a solid but limited contribution.
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