Disease or injury of motor system components often leads to motor dysfunction, and the success of medical intervention, motor skill learning, exercise, or sports training is linked to plasticity in the neuromuscular system at both the central and peripheral levels. However, the neuroplasticity mechanisms underlying the therapeutic efficacy of motor function rehabilitation, exercise training, or motor learning on the neuromuscular system is not well understood. The lack of knowledge on plasticity at various levels of the central and peripheral motor systems, including the muscle, limits a good understanding of neural mechanisms provoking movement disorders and hinders development of targeted therapies for effective treatment. In addition, understanding neuroplasticity linked to motor learning may help identify practice strategies to maximize the progressive plasticity and relearning of motor skills. In the field of sports training, profound insights into plasticity of the neuromuscular system may help develop unique training regimes to aid athletes reach their maximal potential and at the same time prevent injury.

This special issue solicits high quality, original research articles as well as review articles focused on plasticity of central and/or peripheral motor systems, including the muscular system as a result of motor system disease, injury, and rehabilitation; motor skill learning; and exercise or sports training.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Neuromuscular system plasticity following disease or injury that resulted in movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and stroke
• Neuromuscular system plasticity in movement disorders as a result of medical intervention
• Neuromuscular system plasticity as a result of aging and/or exercise training in aging
• Neuromuscular system plasticity as a result of motor skill learning in healthy or clinical populations
• Neuromuscular system plasticity as a result of exercise training in healthy or clinical populations
• Neuromuscular system plasticity as a result of extensive and/or intensive training such as in elite athletes
• Neuromuscular system plasticity as a result of drug abuse, smoke, or alcoholism
• Neuromuscular system plasticity induced by alternative interventions such as meditation, nutrition, and acupuncture
• New methodologies used to evaluate neuroplasticity including computational methodologies such as artificial neural networking, modeling, and simulation