Dynamics of brain-muscle networks reveal effects of age and somatosensory function on gait

Walking is a complex motor activity that requires coordinated interactions between sensory and motor systems. We used mobile EEG and EMG to investigate the brain-muscle networks involved in gait control during overground walking in young, older and individuals with Parkinsons Disease. Dynamic interactions between the sensorimotor cortices and eight leg muscles within a gait cycle were assessed using multivariate analysis. We identified three distinct brain-muscle networks during a gait cycle. These networks include a bilateral network, a left-lateralised network activated during the left swing phase, and a right-lateralised network active during right swing. The trajectories of these networks are contracted in older adults, indicating a reduction in neuromuscular connectivity with age. Individuals with impaired tactile sensitivity of the foot showed a selective enhancement of the bilateral network, possibly reflecting a compensation strategy to maintain gait stability. These findings provide a parsimonious description of interindividual differences in neuromuscular connectivity during gait. TeaserDynamic network analysis shows how brain-muscle connectivity during gait varies with age and somatosensory function.