Effects of tendon vibration and age on force reproduction task performed with wrist flexors

Abstract

The sense of force is suggested to rely in part on proprioceptive inputs when assessed with a force reproduction task. The age-related alterations in proprioceptive system could, therefore, alter the sense of force. This study investigated the effects of tendon vibration on a force reproduction task performed with the wrist flexors in 18 young (20-40 year) and 18 older adults (60-90 year). Participants matched a target force (5% or 20% of their maximal force) with visual feedback of the force produced (target phase), and reproduced the target force without visual feedback (reproduction phase) after a 5-s rest period with or without vibration. The force reproduction error was expressed as the ratio between the force produced during the reproduction and the target phases. For the trials with vibration, the error was expressed as the ratio between the force produced during the reproduction phase performed with and without vibration. Tactile acuity was assessed with a two-point discrimination test. The error was greater at 5% than at 20% contraction intensity (p < 0.001), and in older [56.5 (32.2)%; mean (SD)] than in young adults [33.5 (13.6)%] at 5% (p = 0.002) but not 20% target (p = 0.46). Tendon vibration had a greater effect at 5% than 20% contraction intensity, and in older [41.7 (32.4)%, p < 0.001] than young adults [20.0 (16.1)%]. Tactile acuity was lesser in older than young adults (p < 0.001). The results support the contribution of proprioception in the sense of force, and highlight a decrease in performance with ageing restricted to low-force contractions.

Age‐related changes in sensory and motor components of the Hoffmann‐reflex pathway of the flexor carpi radialis

“…Participants were comfortably seated in a chair with the forearm of the dominant arm (assessed using the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory; Veale, 2014) placed in an adjustable custom‐made ergometer (Henry et al, 2022). The position of the participant was standardised so that the wrist was in the neutral position (0° of flexion), the forearm positioned midway between pronation and supination and the shoulder and elbow flexed at about 25° and 40–50° (full elbow extension: 0°), respectively.…”

Age-Related Changes in the Hoffmann-Reflex Pathway of the Flexor Carpi Radialis

“…Participants were comfortably seated in a chair with the forearm of the dominant arm (assessed using the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory; Veale, 2013) placed in an adjustable custom-made ergometer (Henry et al, 2022). The position of the participant was standardised so that the wrist was in the neutral position (0°o f flexion), the forearm positioned midway between pronation and supination, and the shoulder and elbow flexed at about 25°and 40-50°(full elbow extension: 0°), respectively.…”

Recovery of pinch force sense after short-term fatigue

“…The sense of force is the ability to accurately perceive the external or internal forces associated with each joint 8 , 9 . Many previous studies were designed to identify the exact origin of the force senses, and whether they are derived centrally or peripherally is of prime importance 10 – 12 . Studies have reported that there are two distinct sources of a muscle force sense, i.e., the sense of tension generated by afferent feedback from the muscle 13 and the sense of effort generated centrally 14 , 15 .…”

“…Studies have reported that there are two distinct sources of a muscle force sense, i.e., the sense of tension generated by afferent feedback from the muscle 13 and the sense of effort generated centrally 14 , 15 . There is currently no consensus on which source of information is more important for force sense 10 – 12 , 16 .…”