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

Hand, B.J.Opie, G.M.Sidhu, S.K.Semmler, J.G.2021-11-042021-11-042022European Journal of Applied Physiology, 2022; 122(1):169-1841439-63191439-6327https://hdl.handle.net/2440/132930Published online: 7 October 2021Purpose: 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.en© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2021Transcranial magnetic stimulation; motor cortex; motor skill learning; exercise; intracortical inhibitionMotor cortex plasticity and visuomotor skill learning in upper and lower limbs of endurance-trained cyclistsJournal article10.1007/s00421-021-04825-y2021-11-03589788Hand, B.J. [0000-0002-9778-343X]Opie, G.M. [0000-0001-7771-7569]Sidhu, S.K. [0000-0002-4797-8298]Semmler, J.G. [0000-0003-0260-8047]