Abstract
The olfactomotor system is especially investigated by examining the sniffing in reaction to olfactory stimuli. The motor output of respiratory-independent muscles was seldomly considered regarding possible influences of smells. The Adaptive Force (AF) characterizes the capability of the neuromuscular system to adapt to external forces in a holding manner and was suggested to be more vulnerable to possible interfering stimuli due to the underlying complex control processes. The aim of this pilot study was to measure the effects of olfactory inputs on the AF of the hip and elbow flexors, respectively. The AF of 10 subjects was examined manually by experienced testers while smelling at sniffing sticks with neutral, pleasant or disgusting odours. The reaction force and the limb position were recorded by a handheld device. The results show, inter alia, a significantly lower maximal isometric AF and a significantly higher AF at the onset of oscillations by perceiving disgusting odours compared to pleasant or neutral odours (p < 0.001). The adaptive holding capacity seems to reflect the functionality of the neuromuscular control, which can be impaired by disgusting olfactory inputs. An undisturbed functioning neuromuscular system appears to be characterized by a proper length tension control and by an earlier onset of mutual oscillations during an external force increase. This highlights the strong connection of olfaction and motor control also regarding respiratory-independent muscles.
Highlights
Olfactomotor control is especially investigated by considering the triggered sniff due to an olfactory stimuli[1], since the “primary sensory motor component of olfaction is the sniff ”2
It is important to mention that the AFisomax during disgusting odour arose at a 35% and 30% lower force level compared to the AFisomax during neutral and pleasant odours, respectively
During muscle lengthening, the participant was able to produce an even slightly higher maximal force compared to the are the following: The maximal Adaptive Force (AFmax) during neutral and pleasant odours
Summary
Olfactomotor control is especially investigated by considering the triggered sniff due to an olfactory stimuli[1], since the “primary sensory motor component of olfaction is the sniff ”2. This sniff results from a “rapid and powerful contraction of the diaphragm”[2]. The cingulate cortex was reported to be associated with olfaction[7] This highlights the complex connectivity of different central structures involved in olfaction and is an explanatory base of the strong connection of olfaction, emotions and motor control. Other researchers found olfactory afferences with latencies of around 300 ms[15] All those considerations highlight the importance of motor action in the sense of sniffing in odour perception[1]. There seems to be a lack of knowledge of the effects of different odours on the motor output of respiratory-independent skeletal muscles
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