As people get older, it’s common for them to feel weaker or notice they can’t move around as easily as before. Many assume this weakness comes from muscle loss. But a new study from Ohio University suggests the real problem may lie somewhere else — in the brain and nervous system.
This research, led by scientist Brian Clark and published in JAMA Network Open, could change the way we understand and treat weakness in older adults. It shows that the nervous system — including the brain, spinal cord, and the nerves that control muscles — may play a bigger role in age-related weakness than muscles themselves.
To explore this idea, the research team studied 66 older adults in their 70s. The participants were divided into three groups based on their leg strength.
Everyone took part in a test where they pushed their leg muscles as hard as they could against resistance. After this test, the researchers used electrical stimulation on the same leg muscles to see if the muscles could produce more force when directly activated.
If the muscle produced noticeably more force after being stimulated, it meant the muscle still had strength left — it just wasn’t being fully used by the body’s own nervous system. This is exactly what the researchers found. The people with the weakest legs had the biggest increases in muscle force after stimulation — about 14.2% more. That’s twice as much as the strongest group.
This result suggests that many older adults aren’t weak because their muscles are damaged or worn out. Instead, their muscles aren’t receiving strong enough signals from the brain and nerves to function properly.
This finding could change how we approach aging and physical decline. Traditionally, most efforts to improve strength in older adults focus on building muscle through weight training or physical activity.
While exercise is still very important, this study shows that it might not be enough. If the nervous system isn’t working well, the muscles can’t do their job — even if they’re still healthy.
The researchers suggest that new types of therapies and training could help older adults not just by strengthening muscles, but by improving the brain and nerve signals that control those muscles.
For example, exercises that involve balance, coordination, or fast reactions might be especially useful. These types of activities challenge the nervous system and could help improve its function.
In the future, we may also see more use of nerve stimulation treatments. These techniques use mild electrical pulses to activate nerves, helping to “wake up” weak or inactive muscles. While some forms of nerve stimulation are already used in physical therapy, more research is needed to understand if they’re safe and effective for older people.
This study opens the door to many possibilities. It tells us that to help older adults stay strong and independent, we need to look beyond muscles and consider the nervous system too. Understanding how aging affects the brain and nerves could lead to better treatments, less disability, and improved quality of life for millions of people.
In short, staying strong as we age may have as much to do with keeping the brain and nerves healthy as it does with exercising our muscles. This research is a reminder that aging is a complex process — but also one we can better manage with the right knowledge and care.
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