Aging, resistance training, and motor unit discharge behavior.

Abstract

Researchers have alluded the existence of "neural factors" in the expression and development of muscular strength. Candidate neural factors including motor unit recruitment, rate coding, double firing, and motor unit synchronization are discussed in this review. Aging is generally accompanied by lower motor unit discharge rates. However, both young and older adults exhibit rapid changes in muscular strength with repeated strength testing. These strength changes occur with concomitant albeit transient increase in motor unit discharge rate. These and other neural factors may contribute to the initial increase in muscular strength observed during the early phases of resistance exercise training.