Measuring how motor units fire during movement with new electrode technology
Official title: Quantifying Human Motor Unit Characteristics From Myofiber-Adjacent Electrode Arrays
Funded at Tarleton State University · NIH-11357918 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study will test a new flexible electrode array to measure muscle fiber activity in the thigh during controlled movements in healthy adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tarleton State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stephenville, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2026 |
| Project end | August 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $174,383 |
| NIH project number | 1R34NS148222-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11357918 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21+ without known neuromuscular conditions, able to perform controlled leg movements.
✕Less likely to help
People with certain neuromuscular disorders or contraindications for intramuscular recordings may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests whether the Myomatrix array can safely and reliably record detailed muscle firing in the quadriceps while people perform moving tasks. Researchers will compare measurements from the new arrays to traditional high-density surface methods to see if the data are more accurate during movement. The study involves 30 healthy adults and focuses on safety, data quality, and understanding how motor units activate during dynamic tasks. Results could improve rehabilitation approaches, athletic training, and diagnostic practices for neuromuscular function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from better tools to assess muscle health and improve rehabilitation strategies after injury or neuromuscular disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Prior high-density recordings exist, but this study tests a novel intramuscular array during movement in humans, which is a new application.
Where this research is happening
-
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Luera, Micheal Jacob — Tarleton State University
- Study coordinator: Luera, Micheal Jacob
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.