Intermittent Hypoxia-Induced Enhancements in Corticospinal Excitability Predict Gains in Motor Learning and Metabolic Efficiency.

ABSTRACT: Acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH) enhances human motor function after incomplete spinal cord injury. Although the underlying mechanisms in humans are unknown, emerging evidence indicates that AIH facilitates corticospinal excitability to the upper limb. However, the functional relevance of this plasticity remains unexplored, and it is unclear whether similar plasticity can be induced for lower limb motor areas. We recently demonstrated that AIH improves motor learning and metabolic efficiency during split-belt walking. Thus, we hypothesized that AIH increases lower limb excitability and that these enhancements would predict the magnitude of motor learning and the corresponding reductions in net metabolic power. We assessed tibialis anterior (TA) excitability using transcranial magnetic stim

SUBMITTER: Bogard AT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11092812 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature