1
|
Cao B, Guo Y, Lu M, Wu X, Deng F, Wang J, Huang R. The long-term intensive gymnastic training influences functional stability and integration: A resting-state fMRI study. PSYCHOLOGY OF SPORT AND EXERCISE 2024; 74:102678. [PMID: 38821251 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2024.102678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Long-term motor skill training has been shown to induce anatomical and functional neuroplasticity. World class gymnasts (WCGs) provide a unique opportunity to investigate the effect of long-term intensive training on neuroplasticity. Previous resting-state fMRI studies have demonstrated a high efficient information processing related to motor and cognitive functions in gymnasts compared with healthy controls (HCs). However, most research treated brain signals as static, overlooking the fact that the brain is a complex and dynamic system. In this study, we employed functional stability, a new metric based on dynamic functional connectivity (FC), to examine the impact of long-term intensive training on the functional architecture in the WCGs. METHODS We first conducted a voxel-wise analysis of functional stability between the WCGs and HCs. Then, we applied FC density (FCD) to explore whether regions with modified functional stability were also accompanied by changes in connection patterns in the WCGs. We identified overlapping regions showing significant differences in both functional stability and FCD. Finally, we applied seed-based correlation analysis (SCA) to determine the detailed changes in connection patterns between the WCGs and HCs within these overlapping regions. RESULTS Compared with the HCs, the WCGs exhibited higher functional stability in the bilateral angular gyrus (AG), bilateral inferior temporal gyrus (ITG), bilateral precentral gyrus, and right superior frontal gyrus and lower functional stability in the bilateral hippocampus, bilateral caudate, right rolandic operculum, left superior temporal gyrus, right middle frontal gyrus, right middle cingular cortex, and right precuneus than the HCs. We found that the bilateral AG and ITG not only showed higher functional stability but also increased global and long-range FCD in the WCGs relative to the HCs. The right precuneus displayed lower functional stability as well as decreased local, long-range, and global FCD in the WCGs. Both AG and ITG showed higher FC with regions in the default mode network (DMN) in the WCGs than in the HCs. CONCLUSIONS The increased functional stability in the AG and ITG might be associated with enhanced functional integration within the DMN in the WCGs. These findings may offer new spatiotemporal evidence for the impact of long-term intensive training on neuroplasticity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bolin Cao
- School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Guo
- School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Min Lu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiaoyan Wu
- School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Feng Deng
- School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning and IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
| | - Ruiwang Huang
- School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yan S, Zhao G, Zhang Q, Liu L, Bai X, Jin H. Altered resting-state brain function in endurance athletes. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhae076. [PMID: 38494416 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Previous research has confirmed significant differences in regional brain activity and functional connectivity between endurance athletes and non-athletes. However, no studies have investigated the differences in topological efficiency of the brain functional network between endurance athletes and non-athletes. Here, we compared differences in regional activities, functional connectivity, and topological properties to explore the functional basis associated with endurance training. The results showed significant correlations between Regional Homogeneity in the motor cortex, visual cortex, cerebellum, and the training intensity parameters. Alterations in functional connectivity among the motor cortex, visual cortex, cerebellum, and the inferior frontal gyrus and cingulate gyrus were significantly correlated with training intensity parameters. In addition, the graph theoretical analysis results revealed a significant reduction in global efficiency among athletes. This decline is mainly caused by decreased nodal efficiency and nodal local efficiency of the cerebellar regions. Notably, the sensorimotor regions, such as the precentral gyrus and supplementary motor areas, still exhibit increased nodal efficiency and nodal local efficiency. This study not only confirms the improvement of regional activity in brain regions related to endurance training, but also offers novel insights into the mechanisms through which endurance athletes undergo changes in the topological efficiency of the brain functional network.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shizhen Yan
- School of Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Guang Zhao
- Faculty of Psychology, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China
- Key Research Base of Humanities and Social Sciences of the Ministry of Education, Academy of Psychology and Behavior, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Qihan Zhang
- Faculty of Psychology, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China
- Key Research Base of Humanities and Social Sciences of the Ministry of Education, Academy of Psychology and Behavior, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Liqing Liu
- Faculty of Psychology, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China
- Key Research Base of Humanities and Social Sciences of the Ministry of Education, Academy of Psychology and Behavior, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Xuejun Bai
- Faculty of Psychology, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China
- Key Research Base of Humanities and Social Sciences of the Ministry of Education, Academy of Psychology and Behavior, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Hua Jin
- Faculty of Psychology, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China
- Key Research Base of Humanities and Social Sciences of the Ministry of Education, Academy of Psychology and Behavior, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhang F, Shao Y, Zhang X, Zhang H, Tan Y, Yang G, Wang X, Jia Z, Gong Q, Zhang H. Neuropsychological insights into exercise addiction: the role of brain structure and self-efficacy in middle-older individuals. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhad514. [PMID: 38186007 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhad514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the relationship between exercise addiction and brain structure in middle-older individuals, and to examine the role of self-efficacy in mediating physiological changes associated with exercise addiction. A total of 133 patients exhibiting symptoms of exercise addiction were recruited for this study (male = 43, age 52.86 ± 11.78 years). Structural magnetic resonance imaging and behavioral assessments were administered to assess the study population. Voxel-based morphological analysis was conducted using SPM12 software. Mediation analysis was employed to explore the potential neuropsychological mechanism of self-efficacy in relation to exercise addiction. The findings revealed a positive correlation between exercise addiction and gray matter volume in the right inferior temporal region and the right hippocampus. Conversely, there was a negative correlation with gray matter volume in the left Rolandic operculum. Self-efficacy was found to indirectly influence exercise addiction by affecting right inferior temporal region gray matter volume and acted as a mediating variable in the relationship between the gray matter volume of right inferior temporal region and exercise addiction. In summary, this study elucidates the link between exercise addiction and brain structure among middle-older individuals. It uncovers the intricate interplay among exercise addiction, brain structure, and psychological factors. These findings enhance our comprehension of exercise addiction and offer valuable insights for the development of interventions and treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feifei Zhang
- Department of Radiology, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi Province, P.R. China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Intelligent Imaging and Nanomedicine, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Yingbo Shao
- Department of Radiology, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi Province, P.R. China
- College of Medical Imaging, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Xiaonan Zhang
- Department of Radiology, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi Province, P.R. China
- College of Medical Imaging, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Haoyu Zhang
- Department of Radiology, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi Province, P.R. China
- College of Medical Imaging, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Yan Tan
- Department of Radiology, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi Province, P.R. China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Intelligent Imaging and Nanomedicine, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Guoqiang Yang
- Department of Radiology, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi Province, P.R. China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Intelligent Imaging and Nanomedicine, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Xiaochun Wang
- Department of Radiology, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi Province, P.R. China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Intelligent Imaging and Nanomedicine, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Zhiyun Jia
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Qiyong Gong
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
- Department of Radiology, West China Xiamen Hospital of Sichuan University, Xiamen 361021, Fujian Province, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Radiology, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi Province, P.R. China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Intelligent Imaging and Nanomedicine, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi Province, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kang N. Increased Cerebellar Gray Matter Volume in Athletes: A Voxel-Wise Coordinate-Based Meta-Analysis. RESEARCH QUARTERLY FOR EXERCISE AND SPORT 2023; 94:597-608. [PMID: 35438607 DOI: 10.1080/02701367.2022.2026285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis study was to investigate distinct brain structural characteristics in athletes as compared with those in non-athletes by quantifying regional gray matter (GM) volume changes using voxel-based morphometry analysis based on a whole-brain approach. Methods: The systematic literature search was conducted from November 1, 2020 to October 18, 2021 via the two search engines including the PubMed and Web of Science. We included 13 studies that reported GM volume data in 229 athletes as compared 219 non-athletes based on the whole-brain analysis with specific three-dimensional coordinates in a standard stereotactic space. Thus, we performed a coordinate-based meta-analysis using the seed-based d mapping via permutation of subject images methods. Result: The coordinate-based meta-analysis reported that the athletes significantly reveal greater regional GM volume across right cerebellar lobules IV-V and Brodmann area 37 regions than those in the non-athletes with minimal levels of heterogeneity and publication bias between the included studies. The subgroup analyses show that greater GM volume for athletes in closed-skill sports appeared across the right cerebellar hemispheric lobules VIII and the right cingulum than those for non-athletes. Conclusion: These cumulative findings from multiple brain imaging studies suggest potential brain plasticity evidence in the athletes who experienced extensive motor training.
Collapse
|
5
|
Liu B, Yu J, Wu J, Qin Y, Xiao W, Ren Z. Runners with better cardiorespiratory fitness had higher prefrontal cortex activity during both single and exercise-executive function dual tasks: an fNIRS study. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1246741. [PMID: 37645567 PMCID: PMC10461451 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1246741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: This study investigated the relationship between executive function and prefrontal cortex oxygenation during exercise in young adults with different Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) levels. Methods: A total of 28 amateur runners (n = 14) and sedentary college students (n = 14) were recruited. The maximum oxygen uptake estimated for the sub-maximal intensity run (4.97 miles/h) was used to indicate the different CRF levels. After 1 week, participants must complete the Stroop and 2-Back tasks in silence while performing moderate-intensity exercise. Using 19-channel functional near-infrared spectroscopic (fNIRS) to examine changes in prefrontal cortex oxyhemoglobin. Results: There was no significant difference in the correctness of the Stroop and 2-Back tasks between the two groups during exercise, but the amateur runner group showed an acceleration in reaction time. fNIRS results showed that during the exercise 2-Back task, the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex oxyhemoglobin was higher in the amateur runner group than in the sedentary group. Conclusion: Executive function during exercise was similarly improved in participants with better fitness, suggesting that CRF provides an excellent metabolic reserve and directed allocation for cognitive tasks during exercise.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bowen Liu
- College of Physical Education, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jingxuan Yu
- College of Physical Education, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jinlong Wu
- College of Physical Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yifan Qin
- College of Physical Education, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wen Xiao
- College of Physical Education, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhanbing Ren
- College of Physical Education, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Li Y, Zhao M, Cao Y, Gao Y, Wang Y, Yun B, Luo L, Liu W, Zheng C. Static and dynamic resting-state brain activity patterns of table tennis players in 7-Tesla MRI. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1202932. [PMID: 37521699 PMCID: PMC10375049 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1202932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Table tennis involves quick and accurate motor responses during training and competition. Multiple studies have reported considerably faster visuomotor responses and expertise-related intrinsic brain activity changes among table tennis players compared with matched controls. However, the underlying neural mechanisms remain unclear. Herein, we performed static and dynamic resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) analyses of 20 table tennis players and 21 control subjects using 7T ultra-high field imaging. We calculated the static and dynamic amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) of the two groups. The results revealed that table tennis players exhibited decreased static ALFF in the left inferior temporal gyrus (lITG) compared with the control group. Voxel-wised static functional connectivity (sFC) and dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) analyses using lITG as the seed region afforded complementary and overlapping results. The table tennis players exhibited decreased sFC in the right middle temporal gyrus and left inferior parietal gyrus. Conversely, they displayed increased dFC from the lITG to prefrontal cortex, particularly the left middle frontal gyrus, left superior frontal gyrus-medial, and left superior frontal gyrus-dorsolateral. These findings suggest that table tennis players demonstrate altered visuomotor transformation and executive function pathways. Both pathways involve the lITG, which is a vital node in the ventral visual stream. These static and dynamic analyses provide complementary and overlapping results, which may help us better understand the neural mechanisms underlying the changes in intrinsic brain activity and network organization induced by long-term table tennis skill training.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuyang Li
- Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of Zhejiang Province, Interdisciplinary Institute of Neuroscience and Technology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengqi Zhao
- School of Psychology, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China
- Key Laboratory of Intelligent Education Technology and Application of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China
| | - Yuting Cao
- Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of Zhejiang Province, Interdisciplinary Institute of Neuroscience and Technology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yanyan Gao
- School of Psychology, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China
- Key Laboratory of Intelligent Education Technology and Application of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China
| | - Yadan Wang
- College of Information and Electronic Technology, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, China
| | - Bing Yun
- Department of Public Physical and Art Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Le Luo
- Hangzhou Wuyunshan Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wenming Liu
- Department of Sport Science, College of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chanying Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of Zhejiang Province, Interdisciplinary Institute of Neuroscience and Technology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Serra L, Petrosini L, Mandolesi L, Bonarota S, Balsamo F, Bozzali M, Caltagirone C, Gelfo F. Walking, Running, Swimming: An Analysis of the Effects of Land and Water Aerobic Exercises on Cognitive Functions and Neural Substrates. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:16310. [PMID: 36498383 PMCID: PMC9740550 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192316310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
In the brain and cognitive reserves framework, aerobic exercise is considered as a protective lifestyle factor able to induce positive effects on both brain structure and function. However, specific aspects of such a beneficial effect still need to be completely clarified. To this aim, the present narrative review focused on the potential brain/cognitive/neural reserve-construction mechanisms triggered by different aerobic exercise types (land activities; such as walking or running; vs. water activities; such as swimming), by considering human and animal studies on healthy subjects over the entire lifespan. The literature search was conducted in PubMed database. The studies analyzed here indicated that all the considered kinds of activities exert a beneficial effect on cognitive/behavioral functions and on the underlying brain neurobiological processes. In particular, the main effects observed involve the cognitive domains of memory and executive functions. These effects appear related to structural and functional changes mainly involving the fronto-hippocampal axis. The present review supports the requirement of further studies that investigate more specifically and systematically the effects of each type of aerobic activity, as a basis to plan more effective and personalized interventions on individuals as well as prevention and healthy promotion policies for the general population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Serra
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Laura Mandolesi
- Department of Humanities, Federico II University of Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Sabrina Bonarota
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy
- Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Balsamo
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy
- Department of Human Sciences, Guglielmo Marconi University, 00193 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Bozzali
- Department of Neuroscience ‘Rita Levi Montalcini’, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Brighton & Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9RY, UK
| | | | - Francesca Gelfo
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy
- Department of Human Sciences, Guglielmo Marconi University, 00193 Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Tarumi T, Fukuie M, Yamabe T, Kimura R, Zhu DC, Ohyama-Byun K, Maeda S, Sugawara J. Microstructural organization of the corpus callosum in young endurance athletes: A global tractography study. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:1042426. [PMID: 36523431 PMCID: PMC9745143 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1042426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Aerobic exercise training has been shown to improve microstructural organization of the corpus callosum (CC); however, evidence of this topographic effect is limited. PURPOSE To compare the CC microstructural organization between endurance athletes and sedentary adults using a white-matter fiber tractography approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and T1-weighted structural data were collected from 15 male young endurance athletes and 16 age- and sex-matched sedentary adults. DTI data were analyzed with a global probabilistic tractography method based on neighborhood anatomical information. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean, radial (RD), and axial diffusivities were measured in the eight CC tracts: rostrum, genu, splenium, and body's prefrontal, premotor, central, parietal, and temporal tracts. Cortical thickness of the CC tract endpoints and the CC tract length and volume were also measured. Physical activity level was assessed by metabolic equivalents (METs). RESULTS The athlete group had an average VO2max of 69.5 ± 3.1 ml/kg/min, which is above 90%ile according to the American College of Sports Medicine guideline. Compared with the sedentary group, the athlete group had higher FA in the CC body's premotor and parietal tracts and the CC splenium. These tracts showed lower RD in the athlete compared with sedentary group. The voxelwise analysis confirmed that the athlete group had higher FA in the CC and other white matter regions than the sedentary group, including the corona radiata, internal capsule, and superior longitudinal fasciculus. Cortical thickness of the CC tract endpoints and the CC tract lengths and volumes were similar between the two groups. Physical activity levels were positively correlated with FA in the CC body's parietal (r = 0.486, p = 0.006) and temporal (r = 0.425, p = 0.017) tracts and the CC splenium (r = 0.408, p = 0.023). CONCLUSION Young endurance athletes have higher microstructural organization of the CC tracts connected the sensorimotor and visual cortices than the age- and sex-matched sedentary adults.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Tarumi
- Human Informatics and Interaction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Marina Fukuie
- Human Informatics and Interaction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Takayuki Yamabe
- Human Informatics and Interaction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Ryota Kimura
- Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - David C. Zhu
- Department of Radiology and Cognitive Imaging Research Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Keigo Ohyama-Byun
- Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Seiji Maeda
- Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Jun Sugawara
- Human Informatics and Interaction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ma M, Xu Y, Xiang Z, Yang X, Guo J, Zhao Y, Hou Z, Feng Y, Chen J, Yuan Y. Functional whole-brain mechanisms underlying effects of tDCS on athletic performance of male rowing athletes revealed by resting-state fMRI. Front Psychol 2022; 13:1002548. [PMID: 36267058 PMCID: PMC9576861 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1002548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique that applied to modulate brain activity and enhance motor recovery. However, the neurobiological substrates underlying the effects of tDCS on brain function remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the central mechanisms of tDCS on improving the athletic performance of male rowing athletes. Methods Twelve right-handed male professional rowing athletes received tDCS over the left primary motor cortex while undergoing regular training. The resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data were acquired before and after tDCS. Measures of amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo) were calculated and compared between baseline and follow-up, as well as topological measures including global and local efficiency of functional brain networks constructed by graph theoretical analysis. Results Male rowing athletes showed increased isokinetic muscle strength of the left knee and left shoulder after tDCS. Increased ALFF values were found in the right precentral gyrus of male rowing athletes after tDCS when compared with those before tDCS. In addition, male rowing athletes showed increased ReHo values in the left paracentral lobule following tDCS. Moreover, increased nodal global efficiency was identified in the left inferior frontal gyrus (opercular part) of male rowing athletes after tDCS. Conclusion The findings suggested that simultaneous tDCS-induced excitation over the primary motor cortex might potentially improve the overall athletic performance in male rowing athletes through the right precentral gyrus and left paracentral lobule, as well as left inferior frontal gyrus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ming Ma
- Department of Rehabilitation, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Ziliang Xiang
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xi Yang
- Department of Rehabilitation, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianye Guo
- Department of Rehabilitation, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yong Zhao
- Department of Rehabilitation, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhenghua Hou
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuxu Feng
- Department of Orthopaedics, Pukou Central Hospital, PuKou Branch Hospital of Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, China
- Yuxu Feng,
| | - Jianhuai Chen
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Jianhuai Chen,
| | - Yonggui Yuan
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Yonggui Yuan,
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Kober SE, Ninaus M, Witte M, Buchrieser F, Grössinger D, Fischmeister FPS, Neuper C, Wood G. Triathletes are experts in self-regulating physical activity - But what about self-regulating neural activity? Biol Psychol 2022; 173:108406. [PMID: 35952864 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2022.108406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Regular exercise improves cognitive control abilities and successful self-regulation of physical activity. However, it is not clear whether exercising also improves the ability to self-regulate one's own brain activity. We investigated this in 26 triathletes and 25 control participants who did not exercise regularly. Within each group half of the participants performed one session of sensorimotor rhythm (SMR, 12-15 Hz) upregulation neurofeedback training, the other half received a sham neurofeedback training. The neurofeedback training session took about 45 min. In a separate session, participants underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate possible differences in brain structure between triathletes and controls. Triathletes and controls were able to voluntarily upregulate their SMR activity during neurofeedback when receiving real feedback. Triathletes showed a stronger increase in SMR activity in the second half of the training compared to controls, suggesting that triathletes are able to self-regulate their own brain activity over a longer period of time. Further, triathletes and controls showed differences in brain structure as reflected by larger gray and white matter volumes in the inferior frontal gyrus and insula compared to controls. These brain areas are generally involved in cognitive control mechanisms. Our results provide new evidence regarding self-regulation abilities of people who exercise regularly and might impact the practical application of neurofeedback.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Erika Kober
- Institute of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria; BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria.
| | - Manuel Ninaus
- Institute of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria; LEAD Graduate School & Research Network, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Matthias Witte
- Institute of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria; Adidas AG, Herzogenaurach, Germany.
| | | | | | - Florian Ph S Fischmeister
- Institute of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria; BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria; Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Christa Neuper
- Institute of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria; BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria; Laboratory of Brain-Computer Interfaces, Institute of Neural Engineering, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria.
| | - Guilherme Wood
- Institute of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria; BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Upadhyay N, Schörkmaier T, Maurer A, Claus J, Scheef L, Daamen M, Martin JA, Stirnberg R, Radbruch A, Attenberger U, Stöcker T, Boecker H. Regional cortical perfusion increases induced by a 6-month endurance training in young sedentary adults. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:951022. [PMID: 36034125 PMCID: PMC9407250 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.951022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Physical inactivity is documented as a health risk factor for chronic diseases, accelerated aging, and cognitive impairment. Physical exercise, on the other hand, plays an important role in healthy aging by promoting positive muscular, cardiovascular, and central nervous system adaptions. Prior studies on the effects of exercise training on cerebral perfusion have focused largely on elderly cohorts or patient cohorts, while perfusion effects of exercise training in young sedentary adults have not yet been fully assessed. Therefore, the present study examined the physiological consequence of a 6-month endurance exercise training on brain perfusion in 28 young sedentary adults randomly assigned to an intervention group (IG; regular physical exercise) or a control group (CG; without physical exercise). The IG performed an extensive running interval training three times per week over 6 months. Performance diagnostics and MRI were performed every 2 months, and training intensity was adapted individually. Brain perfusion measurements with pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling were analyzed using the standard Oxford ASL pipeline. A significant interaction effect between group and time was found for right superior temporal gyrus (STG) perfusion, driven by an increase in the IG and a decrease in the CG. Furthermore, a significant time effect was observed in the right middle occipital region in the IG only. Perfusion increases in the right STG, in the ventral striatum, and in primary motor areas were significantly associated with increases in maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max). Overall, this study identified region-specific increases in local perfusion in a cohort of young adults that partly correlated with individual performance increases, hence, suggesting exercise dose dependency. Respective adaptations in brain perfusion are discussed in the context of physical exercise-induced vascular plasticity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Neeraj Upadhyay
- Clinical Functional Imaging Group, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Angelika Maurer
- Clinical Functional Imaging Group, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jannik Claus
- Clinical Functional Imaging Group, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Lukas Scheef
- Clinical Functional Imaging Group, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marcel Daamen
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jason A. Martin
- Clinical Functional Imaging Group, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Alexander Radbruch
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ulrike Attenberger
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Tony Stöcker
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Henning Boecker
- Clinical Functional Imaging Group, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bonn, Germany
- *Correspondence: Henning Boecker,
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Training Monitoring in Sports: It Is Time to Embrace Cognitive Demand. Sports (Basel) 2022; 10:sports10040056. [PMID: 35447866 PMCID: PMC9028378 DOI: 10.3390/sports10040056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Appropriate training burden monitoring is still a challenge for the support staff, athletes, and coaches. Extensive research has been done in recent years that proposes several external and internal indicators. Among all measurements, the importance of cognitive factors has been indicated but has never been really considered in the training monitoring process. While there is strong evidence supporting the use of cognitive demand indicators in cognitive neuroscience, their importance in training monitoring for multiple sports settings must be better emphasized. The aims of this scoping review are to (1) provide an overview of the cognitive demand concept beside the physical demand in training; (2) highlight the current methods for assessing cognitive demand in an applied setting to sports in part through a neuroergonomics approach; (3) show how cognitive demand metrics can be exploited and applied to our better understanding of fatigue, sport injury, overtraining and individual performance capabilities. This review highlights also the potential new ways of brain imaging approaches for monitoring in situ. While assessment of cognitive demand is still in its infancy in sport, it may represent a very fruitful approach if applied with rigorous protocols and deep knowledge of both the neurobehavioral and cognitive aspects. It is time now to consider the cognitive demand to avoid underestimating the total training burden and its management.
Collapse
|