Researchers analyzed high-speed camera footage of skilled soccer players performing the scissors feint, revealing distinct movement characteristics that differ from less-skilled players. These include active distance regulation, strategic modulation of relative speed and efficient feint execution.
A new study from Northwestern University developed a customized video game to help chronic stroke survivors regain lost arm function. After six weeks of therapy, participants showed significant improvement in arm function and daily activities, with scores improving up to 7.8 times that of the control group.
Researchers found that using transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) while moving activates specific brain areas involved in motor systems. This suggests that taVNS may be a useful treatment intervention for mobility issues, potentially leading to improved motor performance.
Researchers subjected fruit flies to extreme gravitational forces and found they adapted and recovered, showing resilience in movement and energy use. The study suggests the brain makes energy trade-offs based on gravity levels, with moderate increases pushing for more movement and higher energy demands.
Astronauts experience difficulty transitioning between Earth and space due to brain predictions about gravity's pull. After prolonged periods in weightlessness, they overcompensate with their hand grip when returning to Earth, but gradually adjust over time.
A study by Concordia University found that individuals with hearing loss exhibit worse dual-task performance, including slower walking and less stable gait. Exercise and cognitive training can improve these outcomes, but the effects vary by sex and severity of hearing loss.
Older adults with and without Parkinson's disease have increased brain activity and muscle signals when recovering from balance disturbances. This makes it more difficult for them to recover their balance.
A new study reveals that astrocytes regulate inhibitory signaling in the cerebellum during development, enabling the emergence of flexible and precise motor coordination. In contrast, younger animals rely on neuron-derived tonic inhibition, which is replaced by astrocyte-derived tonic inhibition in late adolescence.
A new study reveals that astrocytes actively participate in motor-learning circuit rewiring by eliminating synapses in the striatum. The research identifies MEGF10 as a key molecular mediator of this process, which is regulated by dopamine signaling and neural activity.
A new randomized clinical trial found that training the less-impaired arm significantly improved movement coordination, speed and control in chronic stroke survivors. The study showed that motor skills in the less-affected arm can be improved even years after a stroke occurs.
Researchers identified two fundamental coordination patterns in underwater dolphin kick, accounting for over 99% of movement across performance levels. Faster swimmers exhibited greater shoulder extension and increased lower trunk movement, enabling reduced water resistance and improved propulsion.
A new study found that aerobic exercise can increase dopamine release and improve motor performance in middle-aged mice, suggesting a potential link to improved mobility and reduced symptoms of Parkinson's disease. The research team plans to repeat the study in genetically engineered mice models for neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers have uncovered how the motor cortex and striatum work together like an hourglass to flexibly control movement timing. By tracking neural activity patterns and manipulating specific brain regions using optogenetics, they identified the critical role of each region in the brain's internal timer.
Researchers developed an evaluation scale based on three physical performance tests: single-leg balance, timed up and go, and sit-to-stand. The scale predicts long-term care risk among older adults with high accuracy, particularly those with scores of 41 or more. It provides a comprehensive assessment method for Japanese older adults.
A new study proposes a theoretically new mechanism to modulate spinal reflexes at the same spinal cord level as stretch reflexes during voluntary movements. The research, led by Biomedical engineering doctoral student Grace Niyo, suggests that a simple spinal circuit can correct self-perturbations from stretch reflexes to produce smoot...
Researchers found that ketogenic diets reduced plasma levels of total Tau in females, mitigated elevations in plasma lipids, and improved circulating lipids. However, neither continuous nor intermittent ketogenic diets improved measures of cognitive or motor behavior in the TgF344-AD rat model.
Researchers discovered a class of cerebellar inputs, called climbing fibres, are essential for associative learning to occur. These
Researchers found that low-dose X-ray irradiation reduced lesion size and reversed motor deficits in TBI and ischemic stroke mice, demonstrating its potential as a therapeutic strategy. The treatment also accelerated substantial motor function recovery and promoted brain rewiring after stroke.
Scientists found that cooling or warming the striatum region slows down or speeds up activity patterns, which correlates with rats' timing judgements. This provides evidence for the 'population clock hypothesis', suggesting that brains use decentralized and flexible sense of time.
Repetitive manual dexterity training for 12 weeks improves executive function and boosts cognitive load patterns in older adults. Daily training has a positive correlation with active blood hemoglobin levels in the prefrontal cortex.
Research on Latino mother-child pairs reveals that prenatal pollution exposure is associated with deficits in motor coordination, language skills, and cognitive development at age 2. The study found significant correlations between exposure to particulate matter and lower composite cognitive scores.
Researchers from the University of Tsukuba develop a model that combines multiple theories to simulate motor learning in humans. The study found that larger amounts of motor exploration aid in learning sensitivity derivatives and transforming errors into motor corrections.
A new study suggests that a behavioral marker in preterm infants can indicate potential development problems. Researchers used digital eye tracking to test the infants' visual motor coordination and found that those who struggled with this task were more likely to face cognitive and social difficulties later on.
A study published in Cell Metabolism identified a protein called neurturin as crucial for muscle health, improving metabolic rates, motor function and exercise capacity. Mice genetically modified to produce more neurturin had increased resistance to degeneration in neurons associated with ALS.
Scientists at Oxford Brookes University have identified specific genes linked to developmental coordination disorder (DCD), also known as dyspraxia. The study suggests that genetics studies can unravel the underlying biology of DCD, leading to improved diagnosis and treatment.
A study published in the American Journal of Human Biology found that children spending more than three-quarters of their time sedentary have up to nine times poorer motor coordination than their active peers. Physical activity alone is not enough to overcome the negative effects of sedentary behavior on basic motor skills.
Researchers found that combining alcohol with energy drinks like Red Bull significantly reduced perceived symptoms of impairment, including fatigue and dizziness. However, objective measures of motor coordination and reaction time remained impaired, highlighting the need for caution when consuming both substances.
Researchers will investigate the relationship between motor coordination, kinesiophobia, and recurrence of low back pain. The study aims to provide treatment guidelines based on individual motor coordination profiles and kinesiophobia scores.