We study how our nervous system controls muscle forces. Our research is within the neurophysiological and neuro-engineering framework and aims at providing accurate and robust applications for human/machine interfaces and neurophysiological investigations. Our end goal is to restore motor function in paralyzed individuals and to identify biomarkers of neuroplasticity.
Research projects
Neuromuscular control of the human hand
Decoding large (>thousands) populations of spinal motoneurons
Hybrid interface with cortical and spinal motoneurons
The effect of training and neurorehabilitation on behaviour of spinal and cortical motoneuro
Current projects
Decoding and training spared motor neuron activity in children with paralyzed hands
(Third Party Funds Single)
Term: 1. July 2025 - 31. December 2026Funding source: EU / European Research Council
We have recently identified single motor neuron activity in humans with spinal cord injury and stroke resulting in complete loss of hand function. We have then demonstrated that these individuals can control with high levels of precision the spared motor neurons ensemble in real-time, up to four degrees of freedom of the hand. We have now collected pilot data in children (
Intuitive Steuerung von Rollstühlen mittels hochaufgelöster Muskelsignale
(Third Party Funds Single)
Term: 1. September 2024 - 31. August 2027Funding source: Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt (BMFTR)
Decoding the exact and representative output of the human spinal motor nervous system
(Third Party Funds Single)
Term: 1. May 2024 - 30. April 2027Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Emmy-Noether-Programm (EIN-ENP)
Zum Verständnis der motorkortikalen Muskelsteuerung ist eine präzise Identifizierung der Motoreinheiten erforderlich, die die Muskelkraft steuern. Die motorische Einheit besteht aus einem einzelnen spinalen Motoneuron und einer Gruppe von innervierten Muskelfasern. Die Bewegung wird durch Aktionspotentiale erzeugt, die vom Gehirn, dem Rückenmark und afferenten Eingängen ausgehen. Sie Bewirken ein Aktionspotential auf der Ebene der spinalen Motoneuronen. Die Aufzeichnung der Aktivität der motorischen Einheiten ermöglicht daher eine direkte Beobachtung des Steuersignales, das die Muskelkraft erzeugt. Aufgrund der eins-zu-eins-Assoziation zwischen Motoneuron und Muskelfasern sind die spinalen Motoneuronen die einzigen Nervenzellen, die beim Menschen mit minimalinvasiven Methoden zugänglich sind. Viele Fragen in den Neurowissenschaften der Bewegung und der Neurorehabilitation bleiben unbeantwortet, weil es an Methoden fehlt, die eine Brücke zwischen der Funktion der Nervenzellen und der Funktion der Muskeln im großen Maßstab schlagen. Im Rahmen von DeMOTUS möchten wir die Art und Weise, wie wir menschliche Bewegungen untersuchen, revolutionieren. Wir werden neue Sensorik, eine biomimetische sehnengetriebene bionische Hand und Exoskelett, sowie digitale Zwillinge dieser Systeme entwickeln. Durch den Einsatz neuartiger intramuskulärer elektromyographischen Sensortechnik werden erforschen, wie das zentrale Nervensystem die motorischen Einheiten während synergistischer Hand- und Beinbewegungen steuert. Durch die Aufzeichnung von Hunderten von synergistischen Motoreinheiten und Echtzeit-Feedback der Aktivität der Motorneuronen wollen wir den ersten geschlossenen Feedback-Loop entwickeln, der es menschlichen Individuen ermöglicht, die Aktivität verschiedener Muskeln zu trennen und die so genannten invarianten Muskelsynergien zu entkoppeln. Der Motorkortex verfügt über riesige motorische Dimensionen und bei Menschen und anderen Primaten starke eins-zu-eins-Assoziationen mit den Motoreinheiten. Wir stellen die Hypothese auf, dass Menschen mit einem geeigneten Neurofeedback basierend auf der Aktivität spinaler Motorneuronen lernen können, selektiv Pools motorischer Einheiten zu aktivieren, selbst wenn diese einem gemeinsamen kortikalen Input unterliegen. DeMOTUS wird grundlegende neurowissenschaftliche Forschung mit Lähmung aufgrund neuromuskulärer Erkrankungen verbinden. Die Erkenntnisse aus diesem Projekt haben das Potential, das Leben von Menschen mit Schlaganfall und Querschnittlähmung zu verändern. Belastbare vorläufige Ergebnisse beweisen, dass die meisten Menschen mit Schlaganfall und Querschnittlähmung eine große Anzahl von verschonten Motorneuronen unterhalb des Levels der Läsion besitzen. DeMotus wird daher nicht nur grundlegende neurowissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse liefern, sondern auch dazu dienen, Bewegungsintentionen von gelähmten Patienten zu erkennen, und so Neurorehabilitation und die Wiederherstellung motorischer Funktion zu ermöglichen.
Embedded AI for neuromuscular orthoses
(Third Party Funds Single)
Term: 1. March 2024 - 28. February 2027Funding source: Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt (BMFTR)
A Direct Sensorimotor Connection with the Spared Neural Code of Movement to Regain Motor Function
(Third Party Funds Single)
Term: 1. January 2024 - 31. December 2028Funding source: EU / European Research Council
Restoring hand function with neuromuscular restrictions using an intelligent neuroorthosis
(Third Party Funds Single)
Term: 1. December 2023 - 31. May 2026Funding source: Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft, Landesentwicklung und Energie (StMWi) (seit 2018)
Development of an innovative neurobandage with an integrated brain-computer interface for testing hand function
(Third Party Funds Single)
Term: 1. October 2023 - 31. October 2026Funding source: Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft, Landesentwicklung und Energie (StMWi) (seit 2018)
Teilvorhaben: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)
Overall project: Entwicklung und Kontroller personalisierter Neurorehabilitation für die Hand durch virtuelles Feedbackgesteuert durch neuronale SignaleTerm: 1. May 2023 - 4. April 2026Funding source: BMBF / Verbundprojekt
Recent publications
2025
Borzuola, R., Nuccio, S., Del Vecchio, A., Bazzucchi, I., Felici, F., De Vito, G., & Macaluso, A. (2025). Acute modulation of common synaptic inputs and motor unit discharge rates following neuromuscular electrical stimulation superimposed onto voluntary contractions . Frontiers in Physiology , 16 . https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2025.1590949
Del Vecchio, A., Hug, F., Merletti, R., & Farina, D. (2025). JEK-ISEK tutorials on electromyography and kinesiology: A summary and a call for the next series of tutorials . Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology , 81 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.102986
Germer, C., Farina, D., Baker, S.N., & Del Vecchio, A. (2025). NeuroNella: Automatic identification of neural activity from multielectrode arrays with blind source separation . Journal of Neural Engineering , 22 (2). https://doi.org/10.1088/1741-2552/adc5a4
Grootenhuis, A., Hiereth, F.C., Škarabot, J., Oßwald, M., Del Vecchio, A., Gruber, M., & Ruggiero, L. (2025). No Differences in Motor Units Discharge Rate Between Females and Males in Explosive Ankle Dorsiflexions . Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports , 35 (5). https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.70065
Lecce, E., Amoruso, P., Del Vecchio, A., Casolo, A., Felici, F., Farina, D., & Bazzucchi, I. (2025). Neural determinants of the increase in muscle strength and force steadiness of the untrained limb following a 4 week unilateral training . The Journal of Physiology , 603 (12), 3605-3630. https://doi.org/10.1113/JP288954
Lecce, E., Del Vecchio, A., Nuccio, S., Felici, F., & Bazzucchi, I. (2025). Higher dominant muscle strength is mediated by motor unit discharge rates and proportion of common synaptic inputs . Scientific Reports , 15 (1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92737-8
Oßwald, M., Cakici, A., Souza de Oliveira, D., Braun, D., Farina, D., & Del Vecchio, A. (2025). Task-specific motor units in the extrinsic hand muscles control single- and multidigit tasks of the human hand . Journal of Applied Physiology , 138 (5), 1187-1200. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00911.2024
Simpetru, R., Braun, D., Simon, A., März, M., Cnejevici, V., Souza de Oliveira, D.,... Del Vecchio, A. (2025). MyoGestic: EMG interfacing framework for decoding multiple spared motor dimensions in individuals with neural lesions . Science Advances , 11 (15). https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.ads9150
Souza de Oliveira, D., Carbonaro, M., Raiteri, B.J., Botter, A., Ponfick, M., & Del Vecchio, A. (2025). The discharge characteristics of motor units innervating functionally paralyzed muscles . Journal of Neurophysiology , 133 (2), 343-357. https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00389.2024
Zhao, Y., Bozhkov, Y., Chen, X., Fuchs, K., Buchfelder, M., Fester, L.,... Kinfe, T. (2025). First German experience using augmented reality for neuroanatomy education in undergraduate medical students: a feasibility and questionnaire-based study . Educational Technology Research and Development , 73 , 1025-1041. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-024-10432-3
2024
Angius, L., Del Vecchio, A., Goodall, S., Thomas, K., Ansdell, P., Atkinson, E.,... Howatson, G. (2024). Supraspinal, spinal, and motor unit adjustments to fatiguing isometric contractions of the knee extensors at low and high submaximal intensities in males . Journal of Applied Physiology , 136 (6), 1546-1558. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00675.2023
Cabral, H.V., Cudicio, A., Bonardi, A., Del Vecchio, A., Falciati, L., Orizio, C.,... Negro, F. (2024). Neural Filtering of Physiological Tremor Oscillations to Spinal Motor Neurons Mediates Short-Term Acquisition of a Skill Learning Task . eNeuro , 11 (7). https://doi.org/10.1523/ENEURO.0043-24.2024
Del Vecchio, A., Enoka, R.M., & Farina, D. (2024). Specificity of early motor unit adaptations with resistive exercise training . The Journal of Physiology . https://doi.org/10.1113/JP282560
Goodlich, B.I., Pearcey, G.E., Del Vecchio, A., Horan, S.A., & Kavanagh, J.J. (2024). Antagonism of 5-HT2 receptors attenuates self-sustained firing of human motor units . The Journal of Physiology . https://doi.org/10.1113/JP285867
Lecce, E., Conti, A., Del Vecchio, A., Felici, F., Scotto di Palumbo, A., Sacchetti, M., & Bazzucchi, I. (2024). Cross-education: motor unit adaptations mediate the strength increase in non-trained muscles following 8 weeks of unilateral resistance training . Frontiers in Physiology , 15 . https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2024.1512309
Möck, S., & Del Vecchio, A. (2024). Investigation of motor unit behavior in exercise and sports physiology: challenges and perspectives . Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism , 49 (4), 547-553. https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2023-0354
Nuccio, S., Germer, C.M., Casolo, A., Borzuola, R., Labanca, L., Rocchi, J.E.,... Del Vecchio, A. (2024). Neuroplastic alterations in common synaptic inputs and synergistic motor unit clusters controlling the vastii muscles of individuals with ACL reconstruction . Journal of Applied Physiology , 137 (4), 835-847. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00056.2024
O'Keeffe, R., Shirazi, S.Y., Del Vecchio, A., Ibanez, J., Mrachacz-Kersting, N., Bighamian, R.,... Atashzar, S.F. (2024). Low-frequency Motor Cortex EEG Predicts Four Rates of Force Development . IEEE Transactions on Haptics , 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1109/TOH.2024.3428308
Pfenning, S., Simpetru, R., Pollak, N., Del Vecchio, A., & Fey, D. (2024). ANALYSIS OF EMBEDDED GPU ARCHITECTURES FOR AI IN NEUROMUSCULAR APPLICATIONS . IADIS International Journal on Computer Science and Information Systems , 19 (1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.33965/ijcsis_2024190101
Rahimi, F., Badamchizadeh, M.A., Ghaemi, S., & Del Vecchio, A. (2024). Simultaneous Estimation of Digit Tip Forces and Hand Postures in a Simulated Real-life Condition with High-density Electromyography and Deep Learning . IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics , 28 (10), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1109/JBHI.2024.3350239
Rahimi, F., Badamchizadeh, M.A., Ghaemi, S., & Del Vecchio, A. (2024). Simultaneous Estimation of Digit Tip Forces and Hand Postures in a Simulated Real-Life Condition With High-Density Electromyography and Deep Learning . IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics , 28 (10), 5708-5717. https://doi.org/10.1109/JBHI.2024.3350239
Riera, C., Souza de Oliveira, D., Borutta, M., Regensburger, M., Zhao, Y., Brenner, S.,... Kinfe, T.M. (2024). Unaltered Responses of Distal Motor Neurons to Non-Targeted Thoracic Spinal Cord Stimulation in Chronic Pain Patients . Pain and Therapy . https://doi.org/10.1007/s40122-024-00670-x
Sampieri, A., Marcolin, G., Gennaro, F., Magistrelli, E., Del Vecchio, A., Moro, T.,... Casolo, A. (2024). Alterations in magnitude and spatial distribution of erector spinae muscle activity in cyclists with a recent history of low back pain . European Journal of Applied Physiology . https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-024-05628-7
Simpetru, R., Arkudas, A., Braun, D., Oßwald, M., Souza de Oliveira, D., Eskofier, B.,... Del Vecchio, A. (2024). Learning a Hand Model from Dynamic Movements Using High-Density EMG and Convolutional Neural Networks . IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering , 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1109/TBME.2024.3432800
Simpetru, R., Cnejevici, V., Farina, D., & Del Vecchio, A. (2024). Influence of spatio-temporal filtering on hand kinematics estimation from high-density EMG signals . Journal of Neural Engineering , 21 , 026014. https://doi.org/10.1088/1741-2552/ad3498
Simpetru, R., Souza de Oliveira, D., Ponfick, M., & Del Vecchio, A. (2024). Identification of Spared and Proportionally Controllable Hand Motor Dimensions in Motor Complete Spinal Cord Injuries Using Latent Manifold Analysis . IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering , 32 , 3741-3750. https://doi.org/10.1109/TNSRE.2024.3472063
Souza de Oliveira, D., Ponfick, M., Braun, D., Oßwald, M., Sierotowicz, M., Chatterjee, S.,... Del Vecchio, A. (2024). A direct spinal cord–computer interface enables the control of the paralysed hand in spinal cord injury . Brain , 147 (10), 3583-3595. https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awae088
Valli, G., Sarto, F., Casolo, A., Del Vecchio, A., Franchi, M.V., Narici, M.V., & De Vito, G. (2024). Lower limb suspension induces threshold-specific alterations of motor units properties that are reversed by active recovery . Journal of Sport and Health Science , 13 (2), 264-276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2023.06.004
Valli, G., Wu, R., Minnock, D., Sirago, G., Annibalini, G., Casolo, A.,... De Vito, G. (2024). Can non-invasive motor unit analysis reveal distinct neural strategies of force production in young with uncomplicated type 1 diabetes? European Journal of Applied Physiology . https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-024-05595-z
Weber, N., Walter, J., Braun, D., Del Vecchio, A., & Franke, J. (2024). Compact and Lightweight Cable Decoupling Unit for Bio-Inspired Tendon Drives in Wearable Robots . In Proceedings of the IEEE RAS and EMBS International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics (pp. 1140-1145). Heidelberg, DE: IEEE Computer Society.
Weinman, L.E., Del Vecchio, A., Mazzo, M.R., & Enoka, R.M. (2024). Motor unit modes in the calf muscles during a submaximal isometric contraction are changed by brief stretches . The Journal of Physiology , 602 (7), 1385-1404. https://doi.org/10.1113/JP285437
Škarabot, J., Casolo, A., Balshaw, T.G., Maeo, S., Lanza, M.B., Holobar, A.,... Del Vecchio, A. (2024). Greater motor unit discharge rate during rapid contractions in chronically strength-trained individuals . Journal of Neurophysiology , 132 (6), 1896-1906. https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00017.2024
2023
Alix-Fages, C., Jiménez-Martínez, P., Souza de Oliveira, D., Möck, S., Balsalobre-Fernández, C., & Del Vecchio, A. (2023). Mental fatigue impairs physical performance but not the neural drive to the muscle: a preliminary analysis . European Journal of Applied Physiology . https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-023-05189-1
Baker, A.M., Maffitt, N.J., Del Vecchio, A., McKeating, K.M., Baker, M.R., Baker, S.N., & Soteropoulos, D.S. (2023). Neural dysregulation in post-COVID fatigue . Brain Communications , 5 (3). https://doi.org/10.1093/braincomms/fcad122
Borutta, M., Köhn, J., Souza de Oliveira, D., Del Vecchio, A., Engelhorn, T., Schwab, S.,... Kinfe, T.M. (2023). The Impact of Burst Motor Cortex Stimulation on Cardiovascular Autonomic Modulation in Chronic Pain: A Feasibility Study for a New Approach to Objectively Monitor Therapeutic Effects . Pain and Therapy . https://doi.org/10.1007/s40122-023-00541-x
Borzuola, R., Nuccio, S., Scalia, M., Parrella, M., Del Vecchio, A., Bazzucchi, I.,... Macaluso, A. (2023). Adjustments in the motor unit discharge behavior following neuromuscular electrical stimulation compared to voluntary contractions . Frontiers in Physiology , 14 . https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2023.1212453
Casolo, A., Maeo, S., Balshaw, T.G., Lanza, M.B., Martin, N.R.W., Nuccio, S.,... Del Vecchio, A. (2023). Non-invasive estimation of muscle fibre size from high-density electromyography . The Journal of Physiology . https://doi.org/10.1113/JP284170
Del Vecchio, A. (2023). Neuromechanics of the Rate of Force Development . Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews , 51 (1), 34-42. https://doi.org/10.1249/JES.0000000000000306
Del Vecchio, A., Marconi Germer, C., Kinfe, T.M., Nuccio, S., Hug, F., Eskofier, B.,... Enoka, R.M. (2023). The Forces Generated by Agonist Muscles during Isometric Contractions Arise from Motor Unit Synergies . The Journal of Neuroscience , 43 (16), 2860-2873. https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1265-22.2023
Dideriksen, J., & Del Vecchio, A. (2023). Adaptations in motor unit properties underlying changes in recruitment, rate coding, and maximum force . Journal of Neurophysiology , 129 (1), 235-246. https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00222.2022
Goodlich, B.I., Del Vecchio, A., Horan, S.A., & Kavanagh, J.J. (2023). Blockade of 5-HT2 receptors suppresses motor unit firing and estimates of persistent inward currents during voluntary muscle contraction in humans . The Journal of Physiology . https://doi.org/10.1113/JP284164
Goodlich, B.I., Del Vecchio, A., & Kavanagh, J.J. (2023). Motor unit tracking using blind source separation filters and waveform cross-correlations: reliability under physiological and pharmacological conditions . Journal of Applied Physiology , 135 (2), 362-374. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00271.2023
Lecce, E., Nuccio, S., Del Vecchio, A., Conti, A., Nicolo, A., Sacchetti, M.,... Bazzucchi, I. (2023). The acute effects of whole-body vibration on motor unit recruitment and discharge properties . Frontiers in Physiology , 14 . https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2023.1124242
Lecce, E., Nuccio, S., Del Vecchio, A., Conti, A., Nicolò, A., Sacchetti, M.,... Bazzucchi, I. (2023). Sensorimotor integration is affected by acute whole-body vibration: a coherence study . Frontiers in Physiology , 14 . https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2023.1266085
Mayer, K., Del Vecchio, A., Eskofier, B., & Farina, D. (2023). Unsupervised neural decoding of signals recorded by thin-film electrode arrays implanted in muscles using autoencoding with a physiologically derived optimisation criterion . Biomedical Signal Processing and Control , 86 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bspc.2023.105178
Pfenning, S., Simpetru, R., Pollak, N., Del Vecchio, A., & Fey, D. (2023). EVALUATION OF GPU-CENTRIC EMBEDDED ARCHITECTURES IN THE FIELD OF NEUROMUSCULAR EMG-BASED AI . In International Conferences on Applied Computing 2023, AC 2023 and WWW/Internet 2023, ICWI 2023 (pp. 39-46). Funchal, Madeira Island, PRT: IADIS Press.
Qassim, H., Zhao, Y., Ströbel, A., Regensburger, M., Buchfelder, M., Souza de Oliveira, D.,... Kinfe, T.M. (2023). Deep Brain Stimulation for Chronic Facial Pain: An Individual Participant Data (IPD) Meta-Analysis . Brain Sciences , 13 (3). https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13030492
Simpetru, R., März, M., & Del Vecchio, A. (2023). Proportional and Simultaneous Real-Time Control of the Full Human Hand From High-Density Electromyography . IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering , 31 , 3118-3131. https://doi.org/10.1109/TNSRE.2023.3295060
Škarabot, J., Folland, J.P., Forsyth, J., Vazoukis, A., Holobar, A., & Del Vecchio, A. (2023). Motor Unit Discharge Characteristics and Conduction Velocity of the Vastii Muscles in Long-Term Resistance-Trained Men . Medicine and science in sports and exercise , 55 (5), 824-836. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000003105
2022
Alix-Fages, C., Del Vecchio, A., Baz-Valle, E., Santos-Concejero, J., & Balsalobre-Fernandez, C. (2022). The role of the neural stimulus in regulating skeletal muscle hypertrophy . European Journal of Applied Physiology . https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-022-04906-6
Bräcklein, M., Barsakcioglu, D.Y., Del Vecchio, A., Ibáñez, J., & Farina, D. (2022). Reading and Modulating Cortical β Bursts from Motor Unit Spiking Activity . The Journal of Neuroscience , 42 (17), 3611-3621. https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1885-21.2022
Cakici, A., Oßwald, M., Souza de Oliveira, D., Braun, D., Simpetru, R., Kinfe, T.M.,... Del Vecchio, A. (2022). A Generalized Framework for the Study of Spinal Motor Neurons Controlling the Human Hand During Dynamic Movements . In Proceedings of the 44th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, EMBC 2022 (pp. 4115-4118). Scottish Event Campus, Glasgow, GB: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc..
Cakici, A.L., Oßwald, M., Souza de Oliveira, D., Braun, D., Simpetru, R.C., Kinfe, T.M.,... Del Vecchio, A. (2022). A Generalized Framework for the Study of Spinal Motor Neurons Controlling the Human Hand During Dynamic Movements . In Proceedings of the Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, EMBS (pp. 4115-4118). Glasgow, GBR: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc..
Del Vecchio, A., Casolo, A., Dideriksen, J.L., Aagaard, P., Felici, F., Falla, D., & Farina, D. (2022). Lack of increased rate of force development after strength training is explained by specific neural, not muscular, motor unit adaptations . Journal of Applied Physiology , 132 (1), 84-94. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00218.2021
Del Vecchio, A., Jones, R.H., Schofield, I.S., Kinfe, T.M., Ibáñez, J., Farina, D., & Baker, S.N. (2022). Interfacing Motor Units in Nonhuman Primates Identifies a Principal Neural Component for Force Control Constrained by the Size Principle . The Journal of Neuroscience , 42 (39), 7386-7399. https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0649-22.2022
Hug, F., Avrillon, S., Sarcher, A., Del Vecchio, A., & Farina, D. (2022). Correlation networks of spinal motor neurons that innervate lower limb muscles during a multi-joint isometric task . The Journal of Physiology . https://doi.org/10.1113/JP283040
Ibanez, J., Zicher, B., Brown, K.E., Rocchi, L., Casolo, A., Del Vecchio, A.,... Farina, D. (2022). Standard intensities of transcranial alternating current stimulation over the motor cortex do not entrain corticospinal inputs to motor neurons . The Journal of Physiology . https://doi.org/10.1113/JP282983
Kinfe, T.M., Del Vecchio, A., Nüssel, M., Zhao, Y., Stadlbauer, A., & Buchfelder, M. (2022). Deep brain stimulation and stereotactic-assisted brain graft injection targeting fronto-striatal circuits for Huntington's disease: an update . Expert review of neurotherapeutics . https://doi.org/10.1080/14737175.2022.2091988
Nüssel, M., Zhao, Y., Knorr, C., Regensburger, M., Stadlbauer, A., Buchfelder, M.,... Kinfe, T.M. (2022). Deep Brain Stimulation, Stereotactic Radiosurgery and High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Targeting the Limbic Pain Matrix: A Comprehensive Review . Pain and Therapy . https://doi.org/10.1007/s40122-022-00381-1
Ritzmann, R., Del Vecchio, A., Baudry, S., Place, N., Gollhofer, A., Narici, M., & Centner, C. (2022). Editorial: Neuromechanics in Movement and Disease With Physiological and Pathophysiological Implications: From Fundamental Experiments to Bio-Inspired Technologies . Frontiers in Physiology , 13 . https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.895968
Simpetru, R., Oßwald, M., Braun, D., Souza de Oliveira, D., Cakici, A., & Del Vecchio, A. (2022). Accurate Continuous Prediction of 14 Degrees of Freedom of the Hand from Myoelectrical Signals through Convolutive Deep Learning . In Proceedings of the 44th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, EMBC 2022 (pp. 702-706). Scottish Event Campus, Glasgow, UK, GB: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc..
Simpetru, R.C., Oßwald, M., Braun, D., Souza de Oliveira, D., Cakici, A.L., & Del Vecchio, A. (2022). Accurate Continuous Prediction of 14 Degrees of Freedom of the Hand from Myoelectrical Signals through Convolutive Deep Learning . In Proceedings of the Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, EMBS (pp. 702-706). Glasgow, GBR: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc..
Souza de Oliveira, D., Casolo, A., Balshaw, T.G., Maeo, S., Lanza, M.B., Martin, N.R.W.,... Del Vecchio, A. (2022). Neural decoding from surface high-density EMG signals: influence of anatomy and synchronization on the number of identified motor units . Journal of Neural Engineering , 19 (4). https://doi.org/10.1088/1741-2552/ac823d
Ubeda, A., Costa-Garcia, A., Torricelli, D., Vujaklija, I., & Del Vecchio, A. (2022). Editorial: Neuromechanical Biomarkers in Robot-Assisted Motor Rehabilitation . Frontiers in Neurorobotics , 15 . https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbot.2021.831113
Walter, J., Roßmanith, P., Souza de Oliveira, D., Reitelshofer, S., Del Vecchio, A., & Franke, J. (2022). Proportional Control of a Soft Cable-Driven Exoskeleton via a Myoelectrical Interface Enables Force-Controlled Finger Motions . In International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics (BioRob) . Seoul, KR: Seoul.
Škarabot, J., Folland, J.P., Holobar, A., Baker, S.N., & Del Vecchio, A. (2022). Startling stimuli increase maximal motor unit discharge rate and rate of force development in humans . Journal of Neurophysiology , 128 (3), 455-469. https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00115.2022
2021
Avrillon, S., Del Vecchio, A., Farina, D., Pons, J.L., Vogel, C., Umehara, J., & Hug, F. (2021). Individual differences in the neural strategies to control the lateral and medial head of the quadriceps during a mechanically constrained task . Journal of Applied Physiology , 130 (1), 269-281. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00653.2020
Casolo, A., Del Vecchio, A., Balshaw, T.G., Maeo, S., Lanza, M.B., Felici, F.,... Farina, D. (2021). Behavior of motor units during submaximal isometric contractions in chronically strength-trained individuals . Journal of Applied Physiology , 131 (5), 1584-1598. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00192.2021
Del Vecchio, A., Beckerle, P., & Castellini, C. (2021). Peripheral Neuroergonomics – An Elegant Way to Improve Human-Robot Interaction? Frontiers in Neurorobotics , 15 . https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbot.2021.691508
Germer, C.M., Farina, D., Elias, L.A., Nuccio, S., Hug, F., & Del Vecchio, A. (2021). Surface EMG cross talk quantified at the motor unit population level for muscles of the hand, thigh, and calf . Journal of Applied Physiology , 131 (2), 808-820. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.01041.2020
Hug, F., Avrillon, S., Del Vecchio, A., Casolo, A., Ibanez, J., Nuccio, S.,... Farina, D. (2021). Analysis of motor unit spike trains estimated from high-density surface electromyography is highly reliable across operators . Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology , 58 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2021.102548
Hug, F., Del Vecchio, A., Avrillon, S., Farina, D., & Tucker, K. (2021). Muscles from the same muscle group do not necessarily share common drive: evidence from the human triceps surae . Journal of Applied Physiology , 130 (2), 342-354. https://doi.org/10.1152/JAPPLPHYSIOL.00635.2020
Ibanez, J., Del Vecchio, A., Rothwell, J.C., Baker, S.N., & Farina, D. (2021). Only the fastest corticospinal fibers contribute to beta corticomuscular coherence . Journal of Neuroscience , JN-RM-2908-20. https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2908-20.2021
Nuccio, S., Del Vecchio, A., Casolo, A., Labanca, L., Rocchi, J.E., Felici, F.,... Sbriccoli, P. (2021). Deficit in knee extension strength following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is explained by a reduced neural drive to the vasti muscles . The Journal of Physiology . https://doi.org/10.1113/JP282014
Schrader, B., Schrader, J., Vaske, B., Elsaesser, A., Haller, H., Del Vecchio, A.,... Lueders, S. (2021). Football beats hypertension: results of the 3F (Fit&Fun with Football) study . Journal of Hypertension , 39 (11), 2290-2296. https://doi.org/10.1097/HJH.0000000000002935
Ting, J., Del Vecchio, A., Verma, N., Sarma, D., Annetta, N., Collinger, J.,... Weber, D.J. (2021). Detecting and decoding spiking activity from sample populations of single motor neurons using wearable sensors . In SPIE BiOS (Eds.), Proceedings Volume 11663, Integrated Sensors for Biological and Neural Sensing .
Ting, J.E., Del Vecchio, A., Sarma, D., Verma, N., Colachis, S.C., Annetta, N.,... Weber, D.J. (2021). Sensing and decoding the neural drive to paralyzed muscles during attempted movements of a person with tetraplegia using a sleeve array . Journal of Neurophysiology , 126 (6), 2104-2118. https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00220.2021
2020
Casolo, A., Farina, D., Falla, D., Bazzucchi, I., Felici, F., & Del Vecchio, A. (2020). Strength Training Increases Conduction Velocity of High-Threshold Motor Units . Medicine and science in sports and exercise , 52 (4), 955-967. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000002196
Casolo, A., Nuccio, S., Bazzucchi, I., Felici, F., & Del Vecchio, A. (2020). Reproducibility of muscle fibre conduction velocity during linearly increasing force contractions . Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology , 53 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2020.102439
Del Vecchio, A., & Farina, D. (2020). Interfacing the neural output of the spinal cord: Robust and reliable longitudinal identification of motor neurons in humans . Journal of Neural Engineering , 17 (1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1741-2552/ab4d05
Del Vecchio, A., Holobar, A., Falla, D., Felici, F., Enoka, R.M., & Farina, D. (2020). Tutorial: Analysis of motor unit discharge characteristics from high-density surface EMG signals . Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology , 53 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2020.102426
Del Vecchio, A., Negro, F., Holobar, A., Casolo, A., Folland, J.P., Felici, F., & Farina, D. (2020). Direct translation of findings in isolated animal preparations to in vivo human motoneuron behaviour is challenging . The Journal of Physiology , 598 (5), 1111-1112. https://doi.org/10.1113/JP279384
Del Vecchio, A., Sylos-Labini, F., Mondi, V., Paolillo, P., Ivanenko, Y., Lacquaniti, F., & Farina, D. (2020). Spinal motoneurons of the human newborn are highly synchronized during leg movements . Science Advances , 6 , eabc3916. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abc3916
Dideriksen, J.L., Del Vecchio, A., & Farina, D. (2020). Neural and muscular determinants of maximal rate of force development . Journal of Neurophysiology , 123 (1), 149-157. https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00330.2019
Felici, F., & Del Vecchio, A. (2020). Surface Electromyography: What Limits Its Use in Exercise and Sport Physiology? Frontiers in Neurology , 11 . https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2020.578504
Germer, C.M., Del Vecchio, A., Negro, F., Farina, D., & Elias, L.A. (2020). Neurophysiological correlates of force control improvement induced by sinusoidal vibrotactile stimulation . Journal of Neural Engineering , 17 (1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1741-2552/ab5e08
Nuccio, S., Del Vecchio, A., Casolo, A., Labanca, L., Rocchi, J.E., Felici, F.,... Sbriccoli, P. (2020). Muscle fiber conduction velocity in the vastus lateralis and medialis muscles of soccer players after ACL reconstruction . Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports , 30 (10), 1976-1984. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.13748
Skarabot, J., Brownstein, C.G., Casolo, A., Del Vecchio, A., & Ansdell, P. (2020). The knowns and unknowns of neural adaptations to resistance training . European Journal of Applied Physiology . https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-020-04567-3
Tanzarella, S., Muceli, S., Del Vecchio, A., Casolo, A., & Farina, D. (2020). Non-invasive analysis of motor neurons controlling the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the hand . Journal of Neural Engineering , 17 (4). https://doi.org/10.1088/1741-2552/aba6db
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Contact:
We study how our nervous system controls muscle forces. Our research is within the neurophysiological and neuro-engineering framework and aims at providing accurate and robust applications for human/machine interfaces and neurophysiological investigations. Our end goal is to restore motor function in paralyzed individuals and to identify biomarkers of neuroplasticity.
Research projects
Decoding and training spared motor neuron activity in children with paralyzed hands
(Third Party Funds Single)
Funding source: EU / European Research Council
Intuitive Steuerung von Rollstühlen mittels hochaufgelöster Muskelsignale
(Third Party Funds Single)
Funding source: Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt (BMFTR)
Decoding the exact and representative output of the human spinal motor nervous system
(Third Party Funds Single)
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Emmy-Noether-Programm (EIN-ENP)
Embedded AI for neuromuscular orthoses
(Third Party Funds Single)
Funding source: Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt (BMFTR)
A Direct Sensorimotor Connection with the Spared Neural Code of Movement to Regain Motor Function
(Third Party Funds Single)
Funding source: EU / European Research Council
Restoring hand function with neuromuscular restrictions using an intelligent neuroorthosis
(Third Party Funds Single)
Funding source: Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft, Landesentwicklung und Energie (StMWi) (seit 2018)
Development of an innovative neurobandage with an integrated brain-computer interface for testing hand function
(Third Party Funds Single)
Funding source: Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft, Landesentwicklung und Energie (StMWi) (seit 2018)
Teilvorhaben: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)
Term: 1. May 2023 - 4. April 2026
Funding source: BMBF / Verbundprojekt
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
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