Axis 3 : Neurobiomechanics / Topic 1





Spinal and supraspinal nervous mechanisms involved in the muscle activity control.


This research axis aims to study the spinal and supra-spinal nervous mechanisms of the control of agonist and antagonist muscle activity in healthy participants, expert athletes and patients with motor disabilities.
A first objective is to contribute to a better understanding of the functional role of cortico-cortical, cortico-muscular and intermuscular couplings in the regulation of muscular activity, in relation to motor performance. A second objective is to explore the contribution of spinal and supra-spinal mechanisms to the control of voluntary muscle contraction and to the modulation of these interactions.



This work is based on the study of electroencephalographic and electromyographic signals during isometric and anisometric contractions as well as during more ecological movements. They are based on an interdisciplinary approach with the aim of contributing to the development of a model of control of muscle activity in terms of dynamic coupling between the central, spinal and peripheral levels during motor performance. Beyond their fundamental aspects, these projects are inseparable from our clinical research work on brain injured patients, in order to highlight significant translational implications in a perspective of therapeutic innovation facilitating the recovery of motor function, in particular concerning elbow extension deficit in post-stroke patients with loss of motor function of the upper limb.


Currents projects