Muscle blood flow response during motor imagery in elderly subjects

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26750334
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Applied health science
• Research Institution: Hiroshima University
• Principal Investigator: ENDO KANA 広島大学, 医歯薬保健学研究院(保), 助教 (60584696)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 運動イメージ / 高齢者 / 筋血流量 / 運動機能 / リハビリテーション

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The present study aimed to examine the influences of motor imagery on the muscle blood flow in elderly subjects. The response in oxygenated hemoglobin concentration (Oxy-Hb) of the vastus lateralis muscle (VL) was measured during motor imagery of voluntary one-legged and two-legged cycling using near infrared spectroscopy in elderly and young subjects. The extent of vividness during the motor imagery of the one-legged or two- legged cycling was similar between the elderly and young subjects. The Oxy-Hb in bilateral VL muscle significantly increased during the motor imagery of the one-legged or two- legged cycling, whereas systemic hemodynamics was not significantly changed during the motor imagery. These findings suggest that motor imagery of the voluntary cycling increased muscle tissue blood flow of bilateral VL not only in young but also in elderly subjects. The changes in the Oxy-Hb in the muscle may serve as a quantitative tool to assess motor imagery.

Free Research Field

循環生理学、高次脳生理学