Child-Adult differences in antagonist muscle coactivation: A systematic review

• Published in: Journal of electromyography and kinesiology 2023-02, Vol.68, p.102727-102727, Article 102727
• Main Authors: Woods, Stacey, O'Mahoney, Caragh, McKiel, Andrew, Natale, Laurel, Falk, Bareket
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Antagonist muscle; Co-contraction; Contraction; Electromyography; EMG; Female; Humans; Isometric Contraction - physiology; Lower Extremity; Maturation; Movement; Muscle Contraction - physiology; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1050-6411; 1873-5711
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2022.102727

Antagonist coactivation is the simultaneous activation of agonist and antagonist muscles during a motor task. Age-related changes in coactivation may contribute to observed differences in muscle performance between children and adults. Our aim was to systematically summarize age-related differences in antagonist muscle coactivation during multi-joint dynamic and single-joint isometric and isokinetic contractions. Electronic databases were searched for peer-reviewed studies comparing coactivation in upper or lower extremity muscles between healthy children and adolescents/young adults. Of the 1083 studies initially identified, 25 met eligibility criteria. Thirteen studies examined multi-joint dynamic movements, 10 single-joint isometric contractions, and 2 single-joint isokinetic contractions. Of the studies investigating multi-joint dynamic contractions, 83% (11/13 studies) reported at least one significant age-related difference: In 84% (9/11 studies) coactivation was higher in children, whereas 16% (2/11 studies) reported higher coactivation in adults. Among single-joint contractions, only 25% (3/12 studies) reported significantly higher coactivation in children. Fifty six percent of studies examined females, with no clear sex-related differences. Child-adult differences in coactivation appear to be more prevalent during multi-joint dynamic contractions, where generally, coactivation is higher in children. When examining child–adult differences in muscle function, it is important to consider potential age-related differences in coactivation, specifically during multi-joint dynamic contractions.