Assessing the relationship between corticospinal excitability and mechanical force generation to both arms during arm cycling: are asymmetries present?

Brandon, Heather (2021) Assessing the relationship between corticospinal excitability and mechanical force generation to both arms during arm cycling: are asymmetries present? Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

Investigations regarding asymmetries in cortical motor control during static and locomotor movements has been conducted. From this research, interhemispheric asymmetries related to movement have been identified, where excitability of the dominant cerebral hemisphere is generally greater compared to the non-dominant. During locomotor outputs like cycling, bilateral asymmetries in measures such as crank torque, power, and/or work have been identified. However, the majority of studies examining human neural control during locomotor outputs is typically available only regarding the dominant limb. Currently, it is unknown how corticospinal excitability and mechanical force generation is modulated during a locomotor output, and whether asymmetries are present. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine corticospinal and spinal excitability with vector force generation to the dominant and non-dominant biceps and triceps brachii during arm cycling to determine whether bilateral asymmetries were present.

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