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Kenville R, Clauß M, Berkow S, Ragert P, Maudrich T. The impact of cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation on isometric bench press performance in trained athletes. Heliyon 2024; 10:e29951. [PMID: 38694076 PMCID: PMC11058892 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Athletic development centers on optimizing performance, including technical skills and fundamental motor abilities such as strength and speed. Parameters such as maximum contraction force and rate of force development, influence athletic success, although performance gains become harder to achieve as athletic abilities increase. Non-invasive transcranial direct current stimulation of the cerebellum (CB-tDCS) has been used successfully to increase force production in novices, although the potential effects in athletes remain unexplored. The present study examined the effects of CB-tDCS on maximum isometric voluntary contraction force (MVCiso) and isometric rate of force development (RFDiso) during a bench press task in well-trained athletes. 21 healthy, male, strength-trained athletes participated in a randomized, sham-controlled, double-blinded crossover design. Each participant completed the isometric bench press (iBP) task on two separate days, with at least 5 days between sessions, while receiving either CB-tDCS or sham stimulation. Electromyography (EMG) recordings of three muscles involved in iBP were acquired bilaterally to uncover differences in neuromuscular activation and agonist-antagonist co-contraction between conditions. Contrary to our hypothesis, no significant differences in MVCiso and RFDiso were observed between CB-tDCS and sham conditions. Furthermore, no tDCS-induced differences in neuromuscular activation or agonist-antagonist co-contraction were revealed. Here, we argue that the effects of CB-tDCS on force production appear to depend on the individual's training status. Future research should study individual differences in tDCS responses between athletes and novices, as well as the potential of high-definition tDCS for precise brain region targeting to potentially enhance motor performance in athletic populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rouven Kenville
- Department of Movement Neuroscience, Faculty of Sports Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, 04109, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
| | - Martina Clauß
- Department of Movement Neuroscience, Faculty of Sports Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, 04109, Germany
| | - Stefan Berkow
- Department of Movement Neuroscience, Faculty of Sports Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, 04109, Germany
| | - Patrick Ragert
- Department of Movement Neuroscience, Faculty of Sports Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, 04109, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
| | - Tom Maudrich
- Department of Movement Neuroscience, Faculty of Sports Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, 04109, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
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Kenville R, Clauß M, Maudrich T. Investigating the impact of external load on muscle synergies during bipedal squats. Eur J Appl Physiol 2024:10.1007/s00421-024-05432-3. [PMID: 38383795 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-024-05432-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE A broad functional movement repertoire is crucial for engaging in physical activity and reducing the risk of injury, both of which are central aspects of lifelong health. As a fundamental exercise in both recreational and rehabilitative training regimes, the bipedal squat (SQBp) incorporates many everyday movement patterns. Crucially, SQBp can only be considered functional if the practitioner can meet the coordinative demands. Many factors affect coordinative aspects of an exercise, most notably external load. Since compound movements are assumed to be organized in a synergistic manner, we employed muscle synergy analysis to examine differences in muscle synergy properties between various external load levels during SQBp. METHODS Ten healthy male recreational athletes were enrolled in the present study. Each participant performed three sets of ten SQBp on a smith machine at three submaximal load levels (50%, 62.5%, and 75% of 3 repetition maximum) across three non-consecutive days. Muscle activity was recorded from 12 prime movers of SQBp by way of electromyography (EMG). Muscle synergies were analyzed in terms of temporal activation patterns, i.e., waveform, as well as the relative input of each muscle into individual synergies, i.e., weight contribution. RESULTS Waveforms of muscle synergies did not differ between loads. Weight contributions showed significant differences between load levels, albeit only for the gastrocnemius muscle in a single synergy. CONCLUSION Taken together, our results imply mostly stable spatiotemporal composition of muscle activity during SQBp, underlining the importance of technical competence during compound movement performance in athletic and rehabilitative settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rouven Kenville
- Department of Movement Neuroscience, Faculty of Sports Science, Leipzig University, 04109, Leipzig, Germany.
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Martina Clauß
- Faculty of Sports Science, Leipzig University, 04109, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Tom Maudrich
- Department of Movement Neuroscience, Faculty of Sports Science, Leipzig University, 04109, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
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Maudrich T, Ragert P, Perrey S, Kenville R. Letter to the Editor: Response regarding "Single-session anodal transcranial direct current stimulation to enhance sport-specific performance in athletes: A systematic review and meta-analysis". Brain Stimul 2023; 16:1551-1552. [PMID: 37909111 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2023.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tom Maudrich
- Department of Movement Neuroscience, Faculty of Sport Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany; Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Patrick Ragert
- Department of Movement Neuroscience, Faculty of Sport Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany; Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stéphane Perrey
- EuroMov Digital Health in Motion, Univ Montpellier, IMT Mines Ales, Montpellier, France
| | - Rouven Kenville
- Department of Movement Neuroscience, Faculty of Sport Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany; Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
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Lässing J, Maudrich T, Kenville R, Uyar Z, Bischoff C, Fikenzer S, Busse M, Falz R. Intensity-dependent cardiopulmonary response during and after strength training. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6632. [PMID: 37095279 PMCID: PMC10126007 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33873-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Whereas cardiopulmonary responses are well understood in endurance training, they are rarely described in strength training. This cross-over study examined acute cardiopulmonary responses in strength training. Fourteen healthy male strength training-experienced participants (age 24.5 ± 2.9 years; BMI 24.1 ± 2.0 kg/m2) were randomly assigned into three strength training sessions (three sets of ten repetitions) with different intensities (50%, 62,5%, and 75% of the 3-Repetition Maximum) of squats in a smith machine. Cardiopulmonary (impedance cardiography, ergo-spirometry) responses were continuously monitored. During exercise period, heart rate (HR 143 ± 16 vs. 132 ± 15 vs. 129 ± 18 bpm, respectively; p < 0.01; η2p 0.54) and cardiac output (CO: 16.7 ± 3.7 vs. 14.3 ± 2.5 vs. 13.6 ± 2.4 l/min, respectively; p < 0.01; η2p 0.56) were higher at 75% of 3-RM compared to those at the other intensities. We noted similar stroke volume (SV: p = 0.08; η2p 0.18) and end-diastolic volume (EDV: p = 0.49). Ventilation (VE) was higher at 75% compared to 62.5% and 50% (44.0 ± 8.0 vs. 39.6 ± 10.4 vs. 37.6 ± 7.7 l/min, respectively; p < 0.01; η2p 0.56). Respiration rate (RR; p = .16; η2p 0.13), tidal volume (VT: p = 0.41; η2p 0.07) and oxygen uptake (VO2: p = 0.11; η2p 0.16) did not differ between intensities. High systolic and diastolic blood pressure were evident (62.5% 3-RM 197 ± 22.4/108.8 ± 13.4 mmHG). During the post-exercise period (60 s), SV, CO, VE, VO2, and VCO2 were higher (p < 0.01) than during the exercise period, and the pulmonary parameters differed markedly between intensities (VE p < 0.01; RR p < 0.01; VT p = 0.02; VO2 p < 0.01; VCO2 p < 0.01). Despite the differences in strength training intensity, the cardiopulmonary response reveals significant differences predominantly during the post-exercise period. Intensity-induced breath holding induces high blood pressure peaks and cardiopulmonary recovery effects after exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Lässing
- Department of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Von-Seckendorff-Platz 2, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Tom Maudrich
- Department of Movement Neuroscience, Faculty of Sports Science, Leipzig University, 04109, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Rouven Kenville
- Department of Movement Neuroscience, Faculty of Sports Science, Leipzig University, 04109, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Zarah Uyar
- Institute of Sport Medicine and Prevention, University of Leipzig, Rosa-Luxemburg-Straße 20-30, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christian Bischoff
- Institute of Sport Medicine and Prevention, University of Leipzig, Rosa-Luxemburg-Straße 20-30, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sven Fikenzer
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Kardiologie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Liebigstr. 20, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Martin Busse
- Institute of Sport Medicine and Prevention, University of Leipzig, Rosa-Luxemburg-Straße 20-30, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Roberto Falz
- Institute of Sport Medicine and Prevention, University of Leipzig, Rosa-Luxemburg-Straße 20-30, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
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Maudrich T, Ragert P, Perrey S, Kenville R. Single-session anodal transcranial direct current stimulation to enhance sport-specific performance in athletes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Brain Stimul 2022; 15:1517-1529. [PMID: 36442774 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2022.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has emerged as a promising and feasible method to improve motor performance in healthy and clinical populations. However, the potential of tDCS to enhance sport-specific motor performance in athletes remains elusive. OBJECTIVE We aimed at analyzing the acute effects of a single anodal tDCS session on sport-specific motor performance changes in athletes compared to sham. METHODS A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in the electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus. The meta-analysis was performed using an inverse variance method and a random-effects model. Additionally, two subgroup analyses were conducted (1) depending on the stimulated brain areas (primary motor cortex (M1), temporal cortex (TC), prefrontal cortex (PFC), cerebellum (CB)), and (2) studies clustered in subgroups according to different sports performance domains (endurance, strength, visuomotor skill). RESULTS A total number of 19 studies enrolling a sample size of 258 athletes were deemed eligible for inclusion. Across all included studies, a significant moderate standardized mean difference (SMD) favoring anodal tDCS to enhance sport-specific motor performance could be observed. Subgroup analysis depending on cortical target areas of tDCS indicated a significant moderate SMD in favor of anodal tDCS compared to sham for M1 stimulation. CONCLUSION A single anodal tDCS session can lead to performance enhancement in athletes in sport-specific motor tasks. Although no definitive conclusions can be drawn regarding the modes of action as a function of performance domain or stimulation site, these results imply intriguing possibilities concerning sports performance enhancement through anodal M1 stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Maudrich
- Department of Movement Neuroscience, Faculty of Sport Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany; Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Patrick Ragert
- Department of Movement Neuroscience, Faculty of Sport Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany; Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stéphane Perrey
- EuroMov Digital Health in Motion, Univ Montpellier, IMT Mines Ales, Montpellier, France
| | - Rouven Kenville
- Department of Movement Neuroscience, Faculty of Sport Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany; Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
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Kaminski E, Maudrich T, Bassler P, Ordnung M, Villringer A, Ragert P. tDCS over the primary motor cortex contralateral to the trained hand enhances cross-limb transfer in older adults. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:935781. [PMID: 36204550 PMCID: PMC9530461 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.935781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Transferring a unimanual motor skill to the untrained hand, a phenomenon known as cross-limb transfer, was shown to deteriorate as a function of age. While transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) ipsilateral to the trained hand facilitated cross-limb transfer in older adults, little is known about the contribution of the contralateral hemisphere to cross-limb transfer. In the present study, we investigated whether tDCS facilitates cross-limb transfer in older adults when applied over the motor cortex (M1) contralateral to the trained hand. Furthermore, the study aimed at investigating short-term recovery of tDCS-associated cross-limb transfer. In a randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled setting, 30 older adults (67.0 ± 4.6 years, 15 female) performed a short grooved-pegboard training using their left hand, while anodal (a-tDCS) or sham-tDCS (s-tDCS) was applied over right M1 for 20 min. Left (LHtrained) - and right-hand (RHuntrained) performance was tested before and after training and in three recovery measures 15, 30 and 45 min after training. LHtrained performance improved during both a-tDCS and s-tDCS and improvements persisted during recovery measures for at least 45 min. RHuntrained performance improved only following a-tDCS but not after s-tDCS and outlasted the stimulation period for at least 45 min. Together, these data indicate that tDCS over the M1 contralateral to the trained limb is capable of enhancing cross-limb transfer in older adults, thus showing that cross-limb transfer is mediated not only by increased bi-hemispheric activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Kaminski
- Department of Movement Neuroscience, Faculty of Sport Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- *Correspondence: Elisabeth Kaminski,
| | - Tom Maudrich
- Department of Movement Neuroscience, Faculty of Sport Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Pauline Bassler
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Madeleine Ordnung
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- Pediatric Epidemiology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Arno Villringer
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Patrick Ragert
- Department of Movement Neuroscience, Faculty of Sport Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
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Maudrich T, Tapper P, Clauß M, Falz R, Lässing J, Kenville R. Motor control strategies differ between monoarticular and biarticular quadriceps muscles during bipedal squats. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2022; 32:1569-1580. [PMID: 36086908 DOI: 10.1111/sms.14230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The interplay between biarticular and monoarticular muscles of the knee and hip joints during bipedal squats (SQBP ) requires adequate central-nervous control mechanisms to enable smooth and dynamic movements. Here, we investigated motor control between M. vastus medialis (VM), M. vastus lateralis (VL), and M. rectus femoris (RF) in 12 healthy male recreational athletes during SQBP with three load levels (50%, 62.5% & 75% of 3-repetition maximum) following a standardized strength training protocol (3 sets of 10 repetitions). To quantify differences in motor control mechanisms in both time and frequency domains, we analyzed (1) muscle covariation via correlation analyses, as well as (2) common neural input via intermuscular coherence (IMC) between RF, VM, and VL. Our results revealed significantly higher gamma IMC between VM-VL compared to RF-VL and RF-VM for both legs. Correlation analyses demonstrated significantly higher correlation coefficients during ascent periods compared to descent periods across all analyzed muscle pairs. However, no load-dependent modulation of motor control could be observed. Our study provides novel evidence that motor control during SQBP is characterized by differences in common input between biarticular and monoarticular muscles. Additionally, muscle activation patterns show higher similarity during ascent compared to descent periods. Future research should aim to validate and extend our observations as insights into the underlying control mechanisms offer the possibility for practical implications to optimize training concepts in elite sports and rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Maudrich
- Department of Movement Neuroscience, Faculty of Sports Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Pascal Tapper
- Department of Movement Neuroscience, Faculty of Sports Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Martina Clauß
- Department of Movement Neuroscience, Faculty of Sports Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Roberto Falz
- Department of Sport Medicine and Prevention, Faculty of Sports Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Johannes Lässing
- Department of Sport Medicine and Prevention, Faculty of Sports Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Rouven Kenville
- Department of Movement Neuroscience, Faculty of Sports Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
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Maudrich T, Kandt H, Ragert P, Kenville R. Whole-body sensorimotor skill learning in football players: No evidence for motor transfer effects. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0271412. [PMID: 35816510 PMCID: PMC9273065 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Besides simple movement sequences, precise whole-body motor sequences are fundamental for top athletic performance. It has long been questioned whether athletes have an advantage when learning new whole-body motor sequences. In a previous study, we did not find any superior learning or transfer effects of strength and endurance athletes in a complex whole-body serial reaction time task (CWB-SRTT). In the present study, we aimed to extend this research by increasing the overlap of task requirements between CWB-SRTT and a specific sports discipline. For this purpose, we assessed differences between football players and non-athletes during motor sequence learning using CWB-SRTT. 15 non-athletes (CG) and 16 football players (FG) performed the CWB-SRTT over 2 days separated by one week. Median reaction times and movement times were analyzed as well as differences in sequence-specific CWB-SRTT learning rates and retention. Our findings did not reveal any differences in sequence-specific or non-sequence-specific improvement, nor retention rates between CG and FG. We speculate that this might relate to a predominately cognitive-induced learning effect during CWB-SRTT which negates the assumed motor advantage of the football players.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Maudrich
- Department of Movement Neuroscience, Faculty of Sport Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
- * E-mail: (TM); (RK)
| | - Hannah Kandt
- Department of Movement Neuroscience, Faculty of Sport Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
| | - Patrick Ragert
- Department of Movement Neuroscience, Faculty of Sport Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
| | - Rouven Kenville
- Department of Movement Neuroscience, Faculty of Sport Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
- * E-mail: (TM); (RK)
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Maudrich T, Hähner S, Kenville R, Ragert P. Somatosensory-Evoked Potentials as a Marker of Functional Neuroplasticity in Athletes: A Systematic Review. Front Physiol 2022; 12:821605. [PMID: 35111081 PMCID: PMC8801701 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.821605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Somatosensory-evoked potentials (SEP) represent a non-invasive tool to assess neural responses elicited by somatosensory stimuli acquired via electrophysiological recordings. To date, there is no comprehensive evaluation of SEPs for the diagnostic investigation of exercise-induced functional neuroplasticity. This systematic review aims at highlighting the potential of SEP measurements as a diagnostic tool to investigate exercise-induced functional neuroplasticity of the sensorimotor system by reviewing studies comparing SEP parameters between athletes and healthy controls who are not involved in organized sports as well as between athlete cohorts of different sport disciplines. Methods A systematic literature search was conducted across three electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus) by two independent researchers. Three hundred and ninety-seven records were identified, of which 10 cross-sectional studies were considered eligible. Results Differences in SEP amplitudes and latencies between athletes and healthy controls or between athletes of different cohorts as well as associations between SEP parameters and demographic/behavioral variables (years of training, hours of training per week & reaction time) were observed in seven out of 10 included studies. In particular, several studies highlight differences in short- and long-latency SEP parameters, as well as high-frequency oscillations (HFO) when comparing athletes and healthy controls. Neuroplastic differences in athletes appear to be modality-specific as well as dependent on training regimens and sport-specific requirements. This is exemplified by differences in SEP parameters of various athlete populations after stimulation of their primarily trained limb. Conclusion Taken together, the existing literature suggests that athletes show specific functional neuroplasticity in the somatosensory system. Therefore, this systematic review highlights the potential of SEP measurements as an easy-to-use and inexpensive diagnostic tool to investigate functional neuroplasticity in the sensorimotor system of athletes. However, there are limitations regarding the small sample sizes and inconsistent methodology of SEP measurements in the studies reviewed. Therefore, future intervention studies are needed to verify and extend the conclusions drawn here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Maudrich
- Department of Movement Neuroscience, Faculty of Sport Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- *Correspondence: Tom Maudrich
| | - Susanne Hähner
- Department of Movement Neuroscience, Faculty of Sport Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Rouven Kenville
- Department of Movement Neuroscience, Faculty of Sport Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Patrick Ragert
- Department of Movement Neuroscience, Faculty of Sport Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
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Kenville R, Maudrich T, Körner S, Zimmer J, Ragert P. Effects of Short-Term Dynamic Balance Training on Postural Stability in School-Aged Football Players and Gymnasts. Front Psychol 2021; 12:767036. [PMID: 34867668 PMCID: PMC8637817 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.767036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Static and dynamic balance abilities enable simple and complex movements and are determinants of top athletic performance. Balance abilities and their proficiency differ fundamentally with respect to age, gender, type of balance intervention, and type of sport. With this study, we aim to investigate whether 4weeks of dynamic balance training (DBT) improves static balance performance in school-aged gymnasts and football players. For this purpose, young male gymnasts (n=21) and male football players (n=20) completed an initial static balance assessment consisting of two one-legged stance (left and right foot) and two two-legged stance (eyes open and eyes closed) tasks. Subsequently, all participants underwent a 4-week intervention. DBT consisting of nine individual tasks was performed two times per week. Another static balance assessment followed 1day after the last training session and retention was assessed 2weeks later. Dynamic balance scores and total path length were analyzed via rank-based repeated measures designs using ANOVA-type statistics. The influence of factors GROUP and TIME on the static and dynamic balance performance was examined. Prior to DBT, young gymnasts showed better static balance performance than football players. However, after intervention, both groups improved in both one-legged stance tasks and also had high retention rates in these tasks. No significant improvements were seen in either group in the two-legged balance tests. Both groups improved in the dynamic balance tasks, although no differences in learning rates were evident. Our findings imply an inter-relationship between both static and dynamic balance components. Consequently, training regimes should include both balance components to facilitate early development of balance ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rouven Kenville
- Institute for General Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Faculty of Sport Science, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Tom Maudrich
- Institute for General Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Faculty of Sport Science, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sophie Körner
- Institute for General Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Faculty of Sport Science, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Johannes Zimmer
- Institute for General Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Faculty of Sport Science, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Patrick Ragert
- Institute for General Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Faculty of Sport Science, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
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Herrojo Ruiz M, Maudrich T, Kalloch B, Sammler D, Kenville R, Villringer A, Sehm B, Nikulin VV. Modulation of neural activity in frontopolar cortex drives reward-based motor learning. Sci Rep 2021; 11:20303. [PMID: 34645848 PMCID: PMC8514446 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98571-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The frontopolar cortex (FPC) contributes to tracking the reward of alternative choices during decision making, as well as their reliability. Whether this FPC function extends to reward gradients associated with continuous movements during motor learning remains unknown. We used anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the right FPC to investigate its role in reward-based motor learning. Nineteen healthy human participants practiced novel sequences of finger movements on a digital piano with corresponding auditory feedback. Their aim was to use trialwise reward feedback to discover a hidden performance goal along a continuous dimension: timing. We additionally modulated the contralateral motor cortex (left M1) activity, and included a control sham stimulation. Right FPC-tDCS led to faster learning compared to lM1-tDCS and sham through regulation of motor variability. Bayesian computational modelling revealed that in all stimulation protocols, an increase in the trialwise expectation of reward was followed by greater exploitation, as shown previously. Yet, this association was weaker in lM1-tDCS suggesting a less efficient learning strategy. The effects of frontopolar stimulation were dissociated from those induced by lM1-tDCS and sham, as motor exploration was more sensitive to inferred changes in the reward tendency (volatility). The findings suggest that rFPC-tDCS increases the sensitivity of motor exploration to updates in reward volatility, accelerating reward-based motor learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Herrojo Ruiz
- Psychology Department, Goldsmiths University of London, London, UK. .,Center for Cognition and Decision Making, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russian Federation. .,Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - T Maudrich
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - B Kalloch
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - D Sammler
- Research Group Neurocognition of Music and Language, Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - R Kenville
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - A Villringer
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - B Sehm
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany.,Department of Neurology, University Hospital Halle (Saale), Halle, Germany
| | - V V Nikulin
- Center for Cognition and Decision Making, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russian Federation. .,Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany.
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12
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Maudrich T, Kenville R, Schempp C, Noack E, Ragert P. Comparison of whole-body sensorimotor skill learning between strength athletes, endurance athletes and healthy sedentary adults. Heliyon 2021; 7:e07723. [PMID: 34409186 PMCID: PMC8361077 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Motor sequences represent an integral part of human motor ability. Apart from simple movement sequences, complex coordinated movement sequences are the building blocks for peak athletic performance. Accordingly, optimized temporal and spatial coordination of muscle action across multiple limbs may be a distinguishing feature between athletes and non-athletes in many sports. In the present study, we aimed to assess differences between strength and endurance athletes and non-athletes during learning of a complex whole-body serial reaction time task (CWB-SRTT). For this purpose, 26 nonathletes (NAG) and 25 athletes (AG) learned the CWB-SRTT over 2 days separated by 7 days. Mean response times of participants were recorded and statistically analyzed for sequence-specific and non-sequence-specific improvements, as well as differences in learning rates and retention. Furthermore, AG was subdivided into strength (SG) and endurance (EG) athletes, and all analysis steps were repeated. Our results show a better mean response time of AG compared to NAG. However, we could not detect differences in sequence-specific or non-sequence-specific learning, as well as different retention rates between NAG and AG or SG and EG. We assume here that a potential lack of motor transfer between general athletic abilities and the specific complex motor sequence mainly accounts for our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Maudrich
- Institute for General Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Faculty of Sport Science, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Rouven Kenville
- Institute for General Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Faculty of Sport Science, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Caroline Schempp
- Institute for General Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Faculty of Sport Science, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Eric Noack
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Patrick Ragert
- Institute for General Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Faculty of Sport Science, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
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13
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Kenville R, Maudrich T, Vidaurre C, Maudrich D, Villringer A, Ragert P, Nikulin VV. Intermuscular coherence between homologous muscles during dynamic and static movement periods of bipedal squatting. J Neurophysiol 2020; 124:1045-1055. [PMID: 32816612 PMCID: PMC7742219 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00231.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Coordination of functionally coupled muscles is a key aspect of movement execution. Demands on coordinative control increase with the number of involved muscles and joints, as well as with differing movement periods within a given motor sequence. While previous research has provided evidence concerning inter- and intramuscular synchrony in isolated movements, compound movements remain largely unexplored. With this study, we aimed to uncover neural mechanisms of bilateral coordination through intermuscular coherence (IMC) analyses between principal homologous muscles during bipedal squatting (BpS) at multiple frequency bands (alpha, beta, and gamma). For this purpose, participants performed bipedal squats without additional load, which were divided into three distinct movement periods (eccentric, isometric, and concentric). Surface electromyography (EMG) was recorded from four homologous muscle pairs representing prime movers during bipedal squatting. We provide novel evidence that IMC magnitudes differ between movement periods in beta and gamma bands, as well as between homologous muscle pairs across all frequency bands. IMC was greater in the muscle pairs involved in postural and bipedal stability compared with those involved in muscular force during BpS. Furthermore, beta and gamma IMC magnitudes were highest during eccentric movement periods, whereas we did not find movement-related modulations for alpha IMC magnitudes. This finding thus indicates increased integration of afferent information during eccentric movement periods. Collectively, our results shed light on intermuscular synchronization during bipedal squatting, as we provide evidence that central nervous processing of bilateral intermuscular functioning is achieved through task-dependent modulations of common neural input to homologous muscles. NEW & NOTEWORTHY It is largely unexplored how the central nervous system achieves coordination of homologous muscles of the upper and lower body within a compound whole body movement, and to what extent this neural drive is modulated between different movement periods and muscles. Using intermuscular coherence analysis, we show that homologous muscle functions are mediated through common oscillatory input that extends over alpha, beta, and gamma frequencies with different synchronization patterns at different movement periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rouven Kenville
- Institute for General Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Faculty of Sports Science, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Department of Neurology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Tom Maudrich
- Institute for General Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Faculty of Sports Science, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Department of Neurology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Carmen Vidaurre
- Department of Statistics, Informatics and Mathematics, Public University of Navarre, Pamplona, Spain.,Machine Learning Group, Faculty of EE and Computer Science, TU Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dennis Maudrich
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Department of Neurology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Arno Villringer
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Department of Neurology, Leipzig, Germany.,MindBrainBody Institute at Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany.,Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Patrick Ragert
- Institute for General Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Faculty of Sports Science, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Department of Neurology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Vadim V Nikulin
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Department of Neurology, Leipzig, Germany.,Centre for Cognition and Decision Making, Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russian Federation.,Neurophysics Group, Department of Neurology, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
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Kenville R, Maudrich T, Maudrich D, Villringer A, Ragert P. Cerebellar Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Improves Maximum Isometric Force Production during Isometric Barbell Squats. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10040235. [PMID: 32295234 PMCID: PMC7226563 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10040235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Maximum contraction force (MVC) is an important predictor of athletic performance as well as physical fitness throughout life. Many everyday life activities involve multi-joint or whole-body movements that are determined in part through optimized muscle strength. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been reported to enhance muscle strength parameters in single-joint movements after its application to motor cortical areas, although tDCS effects on MIVC in compound movements remain to be investigated. Here, we tested whether anodal tDCS and/or sham stimulation over primary motor cortex (M1) and cerebellum (CB) improves maximum isometric contraction force (MIVC) during isometric barbell squats (iBS). Our results provide novel evidence that CB stimulation enhances MIVC during iBS. Although this indicates that parameters relating to muscle strength can be modulated through anodal tDCS of the cerebellum, our results serve as an initial reference point and need to be extended. Therefore, further studies are necessary to expand knowledge in this area of research through the inclusion of different tDCS paradigms, for example investigating dynamic barbell squats, as well as testing other whole-body movements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rouven Kenville
- Institute for General Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Faculty of Sport Science, University of Leipzig, D-04109 Leipzig, Germany; (T.M.); (P.R.)
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany; (D.M.); (A.V.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-341-9940-2407
| | - Tom Maudrich
- Institute for General Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Faculty of Sport Science, University of Leipzig, D-04109 Leipzig, Germany; (T.M.); (P.R.)
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany; (D.M.); (A.V.)
| | - Dennis Maudrich
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany; (D.M.); (A.V.)
| | - Arno Villringer
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany; (D.M.); (A.V.)
- Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- MindBrainBody Institute at Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10099 Berlin, Germany
| | - Patrick Ragert
- Institute for General Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Faculty of Sport Science, University of Leipzig, D-04109 Leipzig, Germany; (T.M.); (P.R.)
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany; (D.M.); (A.V.)
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15
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Kenville R, Maudrich T, Vidaurre C, Maudrich D, Villringer A, Nikulin VV, Ragert P. Corticomuscular interactions during different movement periods in a multi-joint compound movement. Sci Rep 2020; 10:5021. [PMID: 32193492 PMCID: PMC7081206 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-61909-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
While much is known about motor control during simple movements, corticomuscular communication profiles during compound movement control remain largely unexplored. Here, we aimed at examining frequency band related interactions between brain and muscles during different movement periods of a bipedal squat (BpS) task utilizing regression corticomuscular coherence (rCMC), as well as partial directed coherence (PDC) analyses. Participants performed 40 squats, divided into three successive movement periods (Eccentric (ECC), Isometric (ISO) and Concentric (CON)) in a standardized manner. EEG was recorded from 32 channels specifically-tailored to cover bilateral sensorimotor areas while bilateral EMG was recorded from four main muscles of BpS. We found both significant CMC and PDC (in beta and gamma bands) during BpS execution, where CMC was significantly elevated during ECC and CON when compared to ISO. Further, the dominant direction of information flow (DIF) was most prominent in EEG-EMG direction for CON and EMG-EEG direction for ECC. Collectively, we provide novel evidence that motor control during BpS is potentially achieved through central motor commands driven by a combination of directed inputs spanning across multiple frequency bands. These results serve as an important step toward a better understanding of brain-muscle relationships during multi joint compound movements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rouven Kenville
- Institute for General Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Faculty of Sports Science, University of Leipzig, D-04109, Leipzig, Germany. .,Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Department of Neurology, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Tom Maudrich
- Institute for General Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Faculty of Sports Science, University of Leipzig, D-04109, Leipzig, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Department of Neurology, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Carmen Vidaurre
- Dpt. of Statistics, Informatics and Mathematics, Public University of Navarre, Pamplona, 31006, Spain.,Machine Learning Group, Faculty of EE and Computer Science, TU Berlin, Berlin, 10587, Germany
| | - Dennis Maudrich
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Department of Neurology, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Arno Villringer
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Department of Neurology, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany.,MindBrainBody Institute at Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, 10099, Germany.,Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University Hospital Leipzig, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Vadim V Nikulin
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Department of Neurology, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany.,Centre for Cognition and Decision Making, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, 101000, Russian Federation.,Neurophysics Group, Department of Neurology, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, 10117, Germany
| | - Patrick Ragert
- Institute for General Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Faculty of Sports Science, University of Leipzig, D-04109, Leipzig, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Department of Neurology, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany
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16
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Maudrich T, Kenville R, Nikulin VV, Maudrich D, Villringer A, Ragert P. Inverse relationship between amplitude and latency of physiological mirror activity during repetitive isometric contractions. Neuroscience 2019; 406:300-313. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Revised: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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17
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Maudrich T, Kenville R, Lepsien J, Villringer A, Ragert P. Structural Neural Correlates of Physiological Mirror Activity During Isometric Contractions of Non-Dominant Hand Muscles. Sci Rep 2018; 8:9178. [PMID: 29907835 PMCID: PMC6003937 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-27471-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Mirror Activity (MA) describes involuntarily occurring muscular activity in contralateral homologous limbs during unilateral movements. This phenomenon has not only been reported in patients with neurological disorders (i.e. Mirror Movements) but has also been observed in healthy adults referred to as physiological Mirror Activity (pMA). However, despite recent hypotheses, the underlying neural mechanisms and structural correlates of pMA still remain insufficiently described. We investigated the structural correlates of pMA during isometric contractions of hand muscles with increasing force demands on a whole-brain level by means of voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS). We found significant negative correlations between individual tendencies to display pMA and grey matter volume (GMV) in the right anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) as well as fractional anisotropy (FA) of white matter (WM) tracts of left precuneus (PrC) during left (non-dominant) hand contractions. No significant structural associations for contractions of the right hand were found. Here we extend previously reported functional associations between ACC/PrC and the inhibtion of intrinsically favoured mirror-symmetrical movement tendencies to an underlying structural level. We provide novel evidence that the individual structural state of higher order motor/executive areas upstream of primary/secondary motor areas might contribute to the phenomen of pMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Maudrich
- Institute for General Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Faculty of Sport Science, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, 04109, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
| | - Rouven Kenville
- Institute for General Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Faculty of Sport Science, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, 04109, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
| | - Jöran Lepsien
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
| | - Arno Villringer
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, 04103, Germany.,Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, 04103, Germany.,Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Mind and Brain Institute, Berlin, 10099, Germany
| | - Patrick Ragert
- Institute for General Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Faculty of Sport Science, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, 04109, Germany. .,Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, 04103, Germany.
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Kenville R, Maudrich T, Ragert P. P 16 The implementation of Near-Infrared-Spectroscopy (NIRS) in sports science – a verification of suitability using the compound movement squat. Clin Neurophysiol 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2017.06.095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Maudrich T, Kenville R, Ragert P, Steele C. P 57 The influence of sports expertise on the extent of physiological mirror-EMG-activity in the upper and lower extremity. Clin Neurophysiol 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2017.06.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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20
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Maudrich T, Kenville R, Lepsien J, Villringer A, Ragert P, Steele CJ. Mirror Electromyografic Activity in the Upper and Lower Extremity: A Comparison between Endurance Athletes and Non-Athletes. Front Hum Neurosci 2017; 11:485. [PMID: 29085288 PMCID: PMC5649197 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2017.00485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
During unimanual motor tasks, muscle activity may not be restricted to the contracting muscle, but rather occurs involuntarily in the contralateral resting limb, even in healthy individuals. This phenomenon has been referred to as mirror electromyographic activity (MEMG). To date, the physiological (non-pathological) form of MEMG has been observed predominately in upper extremities (UE), while remaining sparsely described in lower extremities (LE). Accordingly, evidence regarding the underlying mechanisms and modulation capability of MEMG, i.e., the extent of MEMG in dependency of exerted force during unilateral isometric contractions are insufficiently investigated in terms of LE. Furthermore, it still remains elusive if and how MEMG is affected by long-term exercise training. Here, we provide novel quantitative evidence for physiological MEMG in homologous muscles of LE (tibialis anterior (TA), rectus femoris (RF)) during submaximal unilateral dorsiflexion in healthy young adults. Furthermore, endurance athletes (EA, n = 11) show a higher extent of MEMG in LE compared to non-athletes (NA, n = 11) at high force demands (80% MVC, maximum voluntary contraction). While the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms of MEMG still remain elusive, our study indicates, at least indirectly, that sport-related long-term training might affect the amount of MEMG during strong isometric contractions specifically in trained limbs. To support this assumption of exercise-induced limb-specific MEMG modulation, future studies including different sports disciplines with contrasting movement patterns and parameters should additionally be performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Maudrich
- Institute for General Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Faculty of Sport Science, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Rouven Kenville
- Institute for General Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Faculty of Sport Science, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jöran Lepsien
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Arno Villringer
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany.,Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Patrick Ragert
- Institute for General Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Faculty of Sport Science, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christopher J Steele
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany.,Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Kenville R, Maudrich T, Carius D, Ragert P. Hemodynamic Response Alterations in Sensorimotor Areas as a Function of Barbell Load Levels during Squatting: An fNIRS Study. Front Hum Neurosci 2017; 11:241. [PMID: 28555098 PMCID: PMC5430058 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2017.00241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) serves as a promising tool to examine hemodynamic response alterations in a sports-scientific context. The present study aimed to investigate how brain activity within the human motor system changes its processing in dependency of different barbell load conditions while executing a barbell squat (BS). Additionally, we used different fNIRS probe configurations to identify and subsequently eliminate potential exercise induced systemic confounders such as increases in extracerebral blood flow. Ten healthy, male participants were enrolled in a crossover design. Participants performed a BS task with random barbell load levels (0% 1RM (1 repetition maximum), 20% 1RM and 40% 1RM for a BS) during fNIRS recordings. Initially, we observed global hemodynamic response alterations within and outside the human motor system. However, short distance channel regression of fNIRS data revealed a focalized hemodynamic response alteration within bilateral superior parietal lobe (SPL) for oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2) and not for deoxygenated hemoglobin (HHb) when comparing different load levels. These findings indicate that the previously observed load/force-brain relationship for simple and isolated movements is also present in complex multi-joint movements such as the BS. Altogether, our results show the feasibility of fNIRS to investigate brain processing in a sports-related context. We suggest for future studies to incorporate short distance channel regression of fNIRS data to reduce the likelihood of false-positive hemodynamic response alterations during complex whole movements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rouven Kenville
- Faculty of Sport Science, Institute for General Kinesiology and Exercise Science, University of LeipzigLeipzig, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain SciencesLeipzig, Germany
| | - Tom Maudrich
- Faculty of Sport Science, Institute for General Kinesiology and Exercise Science, University of LeipzigLeipzig, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain SciencesLeipzig, Germany
| | - Daniel Carius
- Faculty of Sport Science, Institute for General Kinesiology and Exercise Science, University of LeipzigLeipzig, Germany
| | - Patrick Ragert
- Faculty of Sport Science, Institute for General Kinesiology and Exercise Science, University of LeipzigLeipzig, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain SciencesLeipzig, Germany
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