Overview
Background
Dr Lucas Orssatto is a Research Fellow at The University of Queensland's School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences and Centre for Sensorimotor Performance. His research investigates how the nervous system controls muscles and human movement, and how changes in these processes contribute to muscle weakness and movement impairments associated with ageing and disease.
His research spans two complementary streams:
Basic science: Motor control and neurophysiology: Investigating how the brain, spinal cord and motor neurones regulate muscle activity, force production and movement. His research uses advanced experimental techniques to understand the neural mechanisms underlying human motor behaviour.
Clinical science: Neuromotor control in ageing and disease: Investigating how changes in nervous system function contribute to muscle weakness, impaired motor control and physical disability, particularly in older adults and people living with sarcopenia or motor neurone disease (MND/ALS). This research aims to improve our understanding of these conditions and inform better approaches to assessing neuromotor function.
His research has been published in leading international journals, including The Lancet Healthy Longevity, Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia, and Muscle, The Journal of Neurophysiology, and The Journal of Physiology.
Availability
- Dr Lucas Orssatto is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy of Exercise Science, Queensland University of Technology
Research interests
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Motor control and neurophysiology
Investigating how the brain, spinal cord and motor neurones control muscle activation and human movement. This research examines the neural mechanisms underlying force production, motor unit behaviour, sensorimotor integration and rapid motor responses, using experimental approaches such as electromyography, brain stimulation and behavioural assessments.
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Neuromotor control in ageing and disease
Investigating how changes in nervous system function contribute to muscle weakness, impaired movement and reduced physical function in ageing and disease. This research focuses particularly on sarcopenia and motor neurone disease (MND/ALS), seeking to understand their underlying neural mechanisms and develop sensitive approaches for assessing and monitoring neuromotor dysfunction.
Works
Search Professor Lucas Orssatto’s works on UQ eSpace
2023
Journal Article
Caffeine does not influence persistent inward current contribution to motoneuron firing
Mackay, Karen, Orssatto, Lucas B. R., Polman, Remco, Van der Pols, Jolieke C. and Trajano, Gabriel S. (2023). Caffeine does not influence persistent inward current contribution to motoneuron firing. Journal of Neurophysiology, 130 (6), 1529-1540. doi: 10.1152/jn.00350.2023
2023
Journal Article
Longitudinal changes in intrinsic motoneuron excitability in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are dependent on disease progression
Trajano, Gabriel S., Orssatto, Lucas B. R., McCombe, Pamela A., Rivlin, Warwick, Tang, Lily and Henderson, Robert D. (2023). Longitudinal changes in intrinsic motoneuron excitability in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are dependent on disease progression. The Journal of Physiology, 601 (21), 4723-4735. doi: 10.1113/jp285181
2023
Journal Article
Ageing reduces persistent inward current contribution to motor neurone firing: potential mechanisms and the role of exercise
Orssatto, Lucas B. R., Blazevich, Anthony J. and Trajano, Gabriel S. (2023). Ageing reduces persistent inward current contribution to motor neurone firing: potential mechanisms and the role of exercise. The Journal of Physiology, 601 (17), 3705-3716. doi: 10.1113/jp284603
2023
Journal Article
Judo-specific tests: a narrative review with recommendations for physical assessment
Kons, Rafael L., Orssatto, Lucas B. R., Athayde, Marina Saldanha da Silva and Detanico, Daniele (2023). Judo-specific tests: a narrative review with recommendations for physical assessment. Strength and Conditioning Journal, 45 (3), 294-308. doi: 10.1519/ssc.0000000000000749
2023
Journal Article
Increases in muscle temperature by hot water improve muscle contractile function and reduce motor unit discharge rates
Rodrigues, Patrick, Orssatto, Lucas B. R., Trajano, Gabriel Siqueira, Wharton, Lee and Minett, Geoffrey M. (2023). Increases in muscle temperature by hot water improve muscle contractile function and reduce motor unit discharge rates. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 33 (5), 754-765. doi: 10.1111/sms.14312
2023
Journal Article
Intrinsic motor neuron excitability is increased after resistance training in older adults
Orssatto, Lucas B. R., Rodrigues, Patrick, Mackay, Karen, Blazevich, Anthony J., Borg, David N., Souza, Tiago Rosa de, Sakugawa, Raphael L., Shield, Anthony J. and Trajano, Gabriel S. (2023). Intrinsic motor neuron excitability is increased after resistance training in older adults. Journal of Neurophysiology, 129 (3), 635-650. doi: 10.1152/jn.00462.2022
2023
Journal Article
The effects of α-lactalbumin supplementation and handgrip contraction on soleus motoneuron excitability
Mackay Phillips, Karen, Orssatto, Lucas B. R., Polman, Remco, Van der Pols, Jolieke C. and Trajano, Gabriel S. (2023). The effects of α-lactalbumin supplementation and handgrip contraction on soleus motoneuron excitability. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 123 (2), 395-404. doi: 10.1007/s00421-022-05101-3
2023
Journal Article
Effects of α-lactalbumin on strength, fatigue and psychological parameters: a randomised double-blind cross-over study
Mackay-Phillips, Karen, Orssatto, Lucas B. R., Polman, Remco, Van der Pols, Jolieke C. and Trajano, Gabriel S. (2023). Effects of α-lactalbumin on strength, fatigue and psychological parameters: a randomised double-blind cross-over study. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 123 (2), 381-393. doi: 10.1007/s00421-022-05103-1
2023
Journal Article
Effects of plyometric training on physical performance: an umbrella review
Kons, Rafael L., Orssatto, Lucas B. R., Ache-Dias, Jonathan, De Pauw, Kevin, Meeusen, Romain, Trajano, Gabriel S., Dal Pupo, Juliano and Detanico, Daniele (2023). Effects of plyometric training on physical performance: an umbrella review. Sports Medicine - Open, 9 (1) 4, 4. doi: 10.1186/s40798-022-00550-8
2023
Journal Article
Lower motor unit discharge rates in gastrocnemius lateralis, but not in gastrocnemius medialis or soleus, in runners with Achilles tendinopathy: a pilot study
Fernandes, Gabriel L., Orssatto, Lucas B. R., Sakugawa, Raphael L. and Trajano, Gabriel S. (2023). Lower motor unit discharge rates in gastrocnemius lateralis, but not in gastrocnemius medialis or soleus, in runners with Achilles tendinopathy: a pilot study. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 123 (3), 633-643. doi: 10.1007/s00421-022-05089-w
2023
Journal Article
Agreement and reproducibility of a portable electrical impedance myography device for body fat percentage estimation in normal weight men and women
Ribeiro, Josiel Gomes, Rossato, Mateus, Orssatto, Lucas Bet da Rosa, Picanço, Luhan Ammy Andrade, Silva, Diego Augusto Santos and Bezerra, Ewertton de Souza (2023). Agreement and reproducibility of a portable electrical impedance myography device for body fat percentage estimation in normal weight men and women. Revista Brasileira de Cineantropometria & Desempenho Humano, 25 (1) e92458, 1-10. doi: 10.1590/1980-0037.2023v25e92458
2023
Journal Article
Effects of stretch-shortening cycle fatigue protocol on lower limb asymmetry and muscle soreness in judo athletes
Kons, Rafael Lima, Orssatto, Lucas Bet da Rosa, Sakugawa, Raphael Luiz, da Silva Junior, Jorge Nelson, Diefenthaeler, Fernando and Detanico, Daniele (2023). Effects of stretch-shortening cycle fatigue protocol on lower limb asymmetry and muscle soreness in judo athletes. Sports Biomechanics, 22 (9), 1079-1094. doi: 10.1080/14763141.2020.1779335
2022
Journal Article
Facilitation–inhibition control of motor neuronal persistent inward currents in young and older adults
Orssatto, Lucas B. R., Fernandes, Gabriel L., Blazevich, A. J. and Trajano, Gabriel S. (2022). Facilitation–inhibition control of motor neuronal persistent inward currents in young and older adults. The Journal of Physiology, 600 (23), 5101-5117. doi: 10.1113/jp283708
2022
Journal Article
Do motoneuron discharge rates slow with aging? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Orssatto, Lucas B.R., Borg, David N., Pendrith, Linda, Blazevich, Anthony J., Shield, Anthony J. and Trajano, Gabriel S. (2022). Do motoneuron discharge rates slow with aging? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, 203 111647, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.mad.2022.111647
2022
Journal Article
Residual force enhancement in human skeletal muscles: A systematic review and meta-analysis
de Campos, Daiani, Orssatto, Lucas B.R., Trajano, Gabriel S., Herzog, Walter and Fontana, Heiliane de Brito (2022). Residual force enhancement in human skeletal muscles: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 11 (1), 94-103. doi: 10.1016/j.jshs.2021.05.006
2022
Journal Article
Pressure on the electrode to reduce discomfort during neuromuscular electrical stimulation in individuals with different subcutaneous-fat thickness: is the procedure effective and reliable?
Sakugawa, Raphael Luiz, Orssatto, Lucas B. R., Sampaio, Lucas T., de Brito Fontana, Heiliane and Diefenthaeler, Fernando (2022). Pressure on the electrode to reduce discomfort during neuromuscular electrical stimulation in individuals with different subcutaneous-fat thickness: is the procedure effective and reliable?. IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, 30, 1-7. doi: 10.1109/tnsre.2021.3138202
2021
Journal Article
Runners with mid‐portion Achilles tendinopathy have greater triceps surae intracortical inhibition than healthy controls
Fernandes, Gabriel L., Orssatto, Lucas B. R., Shield, Anthony J. and Trajano, Gabriel S. (2021). Runners with mid‐portion Achilles tendinopathy have greater triceps surae intracortical inhibition than healthy controls. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 32 (4), 728-736. doi: 10.1111/sms.14111
2021
Journal Article
Looking at the bigger PICture: understanding and counteracting the decline of persistent inward currents in older adults
Orssatto, Lucas B. R., Mesquita, Ricardo N. O. and Phillips, Karen Mackay (2021). Looking at the bigger PICture: understanding and counteracting the decline of persistent inward currents in older adults. The Journal of Physiology, 599 (23), 5137-5139. doi: 10.1113/jp282370
2021
Journal Article
Effects of Euterpe edulis Martius on inflammatory responses to high-intensity intermittent exercise: Crossover randomized trial
Mendes, Bruna Cunha, Copetti, Cândice Laís Knöner, Panza, Vilma Simões Pereira, Orssatto, Lucas B.R., da Rosa, Julia Salvan, Diefenthaeler, Fernando, Dalmarco, Eduardo Monguilhott, Pietro, Patricia Faria Di and Rieger, Débora Kurrle (2021). Effects of Euterpe edulis Martius on inflammatory responses to high-intensity intermittent exercise: Crossover randomized trial. Nutrition, 91-92 111344, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2021.111344
2021
Journal Article
Intrinsic motoneuron excitability is reduced in soleus and tibialis anterior of older adults
Orssatto, Lucas B. R., Borg, David N., Blazevich, Anthony J., Sakugawa, Raphael L., Shield, Anthony J. and Trajano, Gabriel S. (2021). Intrinsic motoneuron excitability is reduced in soleus and tibialis anterior of older adults. GeroScience, 43 (6), 2719-2735. doi: 10.1007/s11357-021-00478-z
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Lucas Orssatto is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Lucas Orssatto directly for media enquiries about:
- Age-related muscle loss
- Ageing and Movement
- Brain and movement
- Healthy ageing
- Human movement
- Movement control
- Muscle strength
- Muscle weakness
- Nervous system
- Sarcopenia
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