Available Projects

Neurological Mapping of Age-Related Motor Pathways (NeuroMAP)

Description
Ageing is associated with progressive declines in muscle force production that extend beyond muscle atrophy to include neural mechanisms regulating motor output. NeuroMAP will identify how corticospinal and reticulospinal pathways contribute to age-related changes in motor control, and how lifelong physical activity may preserve neuromuscular function. The project uses advanced techniques including transcranial magnetic stimulation, high-density electromyography, and auditory stimulation protocols to generate age-specific neurophysiological data with implications for rehabilitation, public health, and neurotechnology.

Keywords
Neuroplasticity and ageing; reticulospinal tract modulation; neurotechnology for rehabilitation; neuromuscular assessment; lifelong physical activity.

Mapping Neural and Motor Unit Adaptations to Strength Training Using Advanced Neurophysiological Techniques

Description
This project examines how corticospinal and reticulospinal pathways, together with motor unit behaviour, adapt across different forms of strength training. Using transcranial magnetic stimulation, startling auditory stimulus protocols, and high-density surface electromyography, the project will map temporal changes in neural excitability and motor unit function. The findings will support precision training approaches for rehabilitation, athletic performance, and motor control disorders.

Keywords
Strength training; neural plasticity; corticospinal and reticulospinal pathways; motor unit recruitment; high-density EMG.

Corticospinal and Reticulospinal Control of Human Motor Units Following Resistance Training

Description
This project investigates how resistance training alters corticospinal and reticulospinal control of human motor units. By combining high-density surface electromyography and transcranial magnetic stimulation, the study will examine changes in motor unit recruitment, discharge characteristics, synchronisation, and descending motor pathway excitability.

Keywords
Reticulospinal tract; motoneurones; plasticity; motor cortex; exercise.

Cortico-Reticulospinal Responses to High-Intensity Aerobic Exercise

Description
This project maps cortico-reticulospinal responses to high-intensity aerobic exercise and examines how acute and repeated aerobic exercise influence intracortical, corticospinal, and reticulospinal excitability. The work will clarify the time course of neuroplastic responses to aerobic training and its potential role in motor function.

Keywords
Corticospinal excitability; intracortical inhibition; reticulospinal pathways; VO²; aerobic exercise.

-

More information is available through Supervisor Connect.