Motor cortex plasticity and visuomotor skill learning in upper and lower limbs of endurance-trained cyclists

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dc.contributor.authorHand, B.J.
dc.contributor.authorOpie, G.M.
dc.contributor.authorSidhu, S.K.
dc.contributor.authorSemmler, J.G.
dc.date.issued2022
dc.descriptionPublished online: 7 October 2021
dc.description.abstractPurpose: Studies with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) show that both acute and long-term exercise can influence TMS-induced plasticity within primary motor cortex (M1). However, it remains unclear how regular exercise influences skill training-induced M1 plasticity and motor skill acquisition. This study aimed to investigate whether skill training-induced plasticity and motor skill learning is modified in endurance-trained cyclists. Methods: In 16 endurance-trained cyclists (24.4 yrs; 4 female) and 17 sedentary individuals (23.9 yrs; 4 female), TMS was applied in 2 separate sessions: one targeting a hand muscle not directly involved in habitual exercise and one targeting a leg muscle that was regularly trained. Single- and paired-pulse TMS was used to assess M1 and intracortical excitability in both groups before and after learning a sequential visuomotor isometric task performed with the upper (pinch task) and lower (ankle dorsiflexion) limb. Results: Endurance-trained cyclists displayed greater movement times (slower movement) compared with the sedentary group for both upper and lower limbs (all P < 0.05), but there was no difference in visuomotor skill acquisition between groups (P > 0.05). Furthermore, endurance-trained cyclists demonstrated a greater increase in M1 excitability and reduced modulation of intracortical facilitation in resting muscles of upper and lower limbs after visuomotor skill learning (all P < 0.005). Conclusion: Under the present experimental conditions, these results indicate that a history of regular cycling exercise heightens skill training-induced M1 plasticity in upper and lower limb muscles, but it does not facilitate visuomotor skill acquisition.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityBrodie J. Hand, George M. Opie, Simranjit K. Sidhu, John G. Semmler
dc.identifier.citationEuropean Journal of Applied Physiology, 2022; 122(1):169-184
dc.identifier.doi10.1007/s00421-021-04825-y
dc.identifier.issn1439-6319
dc.identifier.issn1439-6327
dc.identifier.orcidHand, B.J. [0000-0002-9778-343X]
dc.identifier.orcidOpie, G.M. [0000-0001-7771-7569]
dc.identifier.orcidSidhu, S.K. [0000-0002-4797-8298]
dc.identifier.orcidSemmler, J.G. [0000-0003-0260-8047]
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/2440/132930
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherSpringer-Verlag
dc.relation.granthttp://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1139723
dc.rights© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2021
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-021-04825-y
dc.subjectTranscranial magnetic stimulation; motor cortex; motor skill learning; exercise; intracortical inhibition
dc.titleMotor cortex plasticity and visuomotor skill learning in upper and lower limbs of endurance-trained cyclists
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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