Motor Plasticity: Understanding Changes in Motor Variability and Motor Switching Across the Lifespan

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Background

The observed motor patterns (any mechanical movement representation, such as joint kinematics and kinetics) of an action are variable trial-to-trial and over time. This is motor variability.

Variability can emerge from the interaction between the nervous system, muscles, mechanical degrees of freedom, and external constraints. No one is able to perform all possible motor patterns for an action; in fact, each person has a reservoir of motor patterns defined as the individual’s motor variability subspace, or motor manifold, which is affected by both short, and long-term adaptations in motor behavior. These adaptations are due to neural and musculoskeletal plasticity, and consequent remodeling, together with experience, learning, training, aging, health conditions, or injuries. Traditional research methods rely on ensemble averages to describe motor patterns; however, trial-to-trial variability is not just a stochastic process. How a person acts is embedded into its motor manifold, including all useful (and not useful) motor patterns and is not just made by motor patterns random fluctuations.

The motor patterns within the motor manifold are not equally performed and accessible. Indeed, these elements are even not permanent. We here specifically define motor plasticity as the set of processes and adaptations of an individual’s motor behavior within the motor manifold. An important process is the ability to switch between motor patterns or actions. We suggest the term motor switching to refer to an individual’s ability to explore its own motor plasticity to respond with an adequate solution to a task. The perception of processed afferent and efferent information guides towards an individual’s action, providing the conditions to switch among equivalent (or not) motor patterns, selecting among the different motor strategies in response to a motor demand. For instance, dexterity is a fine example of a motor plasticity skillful exploration. It is worth noting that a fine specific motor skill reservoir is not sufficient per sé, it must be complemented by an adequate competence to choose among them wisely.

We propose to explore the transition phase occurring between different available patterns and switching between different motor tasks. A fine motor switching exploration will provide new insights for the understanding of motor variability.

The aim of this Research Topic is to deepen the knowledge related to motor variability, with focus on the impact of learning and development, exercise and sports training, and rehabilitation programs, helping to understand the importance of motor switching for motor plasticity exploration.

We welcome authors to contribute, addressing the following:

Motor variability:

a) Mechanisms of motor variability subspace exploration
b) Impact of afferent and efferent information variability on motor learning, development, and performance, to overcome pathologic situations (e.g. disability, injuries, and diseases)

Motor switching:

a) Evidence to support motor strategies changes
b) Motor patterns flexibility and potential improvement or training of motor switching (e.g. via sports, exercise, and rehabilitation)

Motor Plasticity:

a) Mechanisms and impact of motor plasticity on motor variability, motor switching, and motor task performance
b) Evidence to support motor plasticity across the lifespan and pathology

Additionally, we welcome contributions answering the following, but not limited to:

Coordination and motor variability
1. Use of biomechanical and/or computational modeling to explain motor variability, motor switching, and motor plasticity;
2. Novel methods for motor pattern variability and coordination assessment.

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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