Slow motor performance in girls with Turner Syndrome is not related to increased neuromotor noise

• Published in: Motor control 2003-04, Vol.7 (2), p.111-133
• Main Authors: Nijhuis-Van der Sanden, Maria W G, Van Asseldonk, Edwin H F, Eling, Paul A T M, Van Galen, Gerard P
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Child; Female; Fingers - physiopathology; Genetic disorders; Humans; Isometric Contraction - physiology; Motor Neurons - physiology; Muscle, Skeletal - physiopathology; Noise; Psychomotor Performance - physiology; Reaction Time - physiology; Time and Motion Studies; Turner Syndrome - physiopathology
• ISSN: 1087-1640; 1543-2696
• DOI: 10.1123/mcj.7.2.111

This study examined the relationship between decreased speed-accuracy trade-off and increased neuromotor noise in girls with Turner Syndrome (TS). Fifteen girls with TS and 15 age-matched controls performed isometric force contractions with both index fingers separately at 5 force levels, based on their maximum voluntary contraction. The results revealed that (a) groups did not differ in speed-accuracy tradeoff or neuromotor noise, (b) output-variability increased linearly with force level, (c) signal-to-noise ratio changed according to an inverted U-shaped function, (d) broadening in the frequency profile is highest at the lower force levels, (e) with increasing force level, the power peak in the 0-4 Hz domain dominates, (f) frequency profile broadens more in the dominant hand. These findings suggest that, in girls with TS, motor performance is not diminished in an isometric force task, that motor recruitment is intact, and that neuromotor noise is not increased. The findings are discussed with respect to motor control and neuromotor noise.