Neuromuscular fatigue, defined as an exercise-induced decline in the ability of muscles to generate force, is a major barrier to regaining motor function and independence after stroke. Despite its clinical relevance, the mechanisms underlying neuromuscular fatigue in stroke survivors remain poorly understood. Fatigue arises from both central (brain-related) and peripheral (muscle-related) processes, yet how these systems interact and limit performance after stroke has not been fully elucidated. This project aims to unravel the complex interplay between central and peripheral mechanisms of neuromuscular fatigue and to identify how stroke-related alterations in brain–muscle communication contribute to impaired motor endurance. By combining electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG), I will investigate how disrupted cortical oscillations, altered motor unit recruitment, and changes in muscle activation patterns evolve throughout fatiguing tasks. These multimodal recordings will allow for a comprehensive characterization of fatigue from both neural and muscular perspectives. Furthermore, I will explore the potential of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that modulates neural oscillations in a frequency-specific manner. Through experimental manipulation of cortical rhythms, I aim to establish a causal relationship between brain activity and fatigue outcomes, providing novel insights into how neuromodulation may delay or mitigate fatigue in stroke survivors. By bridging neurophysiology and neurorehabilitation, this research seeks to advance our mechanistic understanding of neuromuscular fatigue after a stroke and to lay the groundwork for developing targeted interventions that enhance endurance and functional recovery.
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Funding: FWO pre-doc fellow Sarah Al Omari
RERE PIs: Prof. Eva Swinnen, Prof. David Beckwée, Dr. Mahyar Firouzi