University of Delaware Exercise Neuroscience Lab

Lab Overview

PI: Christopher A. Knight, Ph.D.
Email: caknight@udel.edu

Lab Telephone: (302) 831-8254
Campus Address: 156 Human Performance Lab

In the Exercise Neuroscience Lab, we study the control of muscular force and movement at the most fundamental level of force control which is a single motoneuron and the muscle fibers that it innervates. This is called a motor unit. Using specialized multichannel needle or fine wire electrodes in humans, we record action potentials as they arrive at muscle tissue. Whereas techniques like brain imaging or EEG provide information about the function of the CNS from a supraspinal perspective, our recordings provide another window to the function of the nervous system at the periphery. We seek new knowledge on how precise, fast or forceful movements are controlled, how this control changes with age or with disease, and how we can intervene to restore or improve function.

To complement our work at the motor unit level, we also conduct experiments on the quality of muscular force control as it relates to health and physical function. Here, we have special interest in rapid movement initiation because is an important contributor to fall prevention or the challenges faced by someone with Parkinson's disease. We are also interested in essential tremor because we believe that motor unit recordings have great potential to provide information related to its cause, diagnosis and treatment.

People

Maria Belumorri

Graduate Assistant

Email mariab@udel.edu

Chris Martens

Undergraduate Assistant

Email cmartens@udel.edu

Jeff Graf

Graduate Student

Email jeffg@udel.edu

Projects

Motor Unit Discharge amd Slowed Motor Output in Elderly
NIH R03

Physical Function and Rates of Force development

Publications

Knight CA, Kamen G. Modulation of motor unit firing rates during a complex sinusoidal force task in young and older adults. J Appl Physiol. 2007 Jan;102(1):122-9. Epub 2006 Sep 7.

Marwaha R, Hall SJ, Knight CA, Jaric S. Load and grip force coordination in static bimanual manipulation tasks in multiple sclerosis. Motor Control. 2006 Apr;10(2):160-77.

Kamen G, Knight CA. Training-related adaptations in motor unit discharge rate in young and older adults. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2004 Dec;59(12):1334-8.

Knight CA, Kamen G. Superficial motor units are larger than deeper motor units in human vastus lateralis muscle. Muscle Nerve. 2005, 31(4):475-80.

Knight, C. A. & Kamen, G. (2004). Enhanced motor unit rate coding with improvements in a force-matching task. J.Electromyogr.Kinesiol., 14, 619-629.

Knight, C. A. (2004). Neuromotor Issues in the Learning and Control of Golf Skill. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 75, 9-15.

Sayers SP, Peters BT, Knight CA, Urso ML, Parkington J, Clarkson PM Short-term immobilization after eccentric exercise. Part I: contractile properties. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2003, 35(5):753-61.

Price TB, G Kamen, BM Damon, CA Knight, B Applegate, JC Gore, K Eward and JF Signorile. Comparison of MRI with EMG to study muscle activity associated with dynamic plantar flexion. Magnetic Resonance Imaging. 2003, 21: 53-861.

Sayers SP, CA Knight, and PM Clarkson. Neuromuscular variables affecting the magnitude of force loss after eccentric exercise. Journal of Sports Sciences. 2003, 21: 403-410.

Knight, CA and G Kamen. Adaptations in muscular activation of the knee extensor muscles with strength training in young and older adults. J. Electromyography and Kinesiology. 2001, 11:405-412.

Sayers, SP, CA Knight, PM Clarkson, EH Van Wegen, and G Kamen. Effect of ketoprofen on muscle function and sEMG activity after eccentric exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2001, 33(5):702-70.

Knight, CA and GE Caldwell. Muscular and metabolic costs of uphill backpacking: are hiking poles beneficial? Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000, 32(12):2093-101.