Adaptations in common synaptic inputs to spinal motor neurons during grasping versus a less functional hand task

Previous evidence suggests that shared synaptic inputs across spinal motor neurons play a key role in coordinating multiple muscles during hand movements, reducing control complexity. In this study, we investigated how the nervous system modulates these common synaptic inputs during a functionally relevant grip (grasping) compared to less functionally relevant hand tasks. Seventeen participants performed three different tasks: simultaneous four-finger flexion without thumb involvement (four-finger flexion), thumb flexion, and simultaneous flexion of both fingers and thumb (grasping). For each task, subjects sustained isometric contractions at 5% and 15% of maximal voluntary contraction, while high-density surface electromyograms (HDsEMG) were recorded from the superficial extrinsic flexor muscles of the hand. Motor unit spike trains were decomposed from HDsEMG and tracked across tasks, and their mean discharge rate was calculated. Coherence between motor units was quantified within the delta, alpha, and beta bands to estimate common synaptic oscillations. At both force levels, the mean discharge rate decreased during grasping compared to four-finger flexion but increased during grasping compared to thumb flexion. Additionally, the area under the curve of coherence within the alpha band decreased by ∼20% during grasping compared to the four-finger flexion task, with no significant delta or beta bands changes. These reductions in alpha band coherence were reflected in force oscillations, showing decreased force-neural drive coupling within the alpha band and increased force steadiness during grasping compared to four-finger flexion. Our findings suggest that a functionally relevant and frequently used grip involves distinct neural control mechanisms that ultimately enhance force control.