Acute Exercise at Different Intensities Influences Corticomotor Excitability and Performance of a Ballistic Thumb Training Task. (1st August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Opie, George M.; Semmler, John G.
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience. Volume 412(2019)
• Page Start: 29
• Page End: 39
• Publication Date: 2019-08-01
• Subjects: APB abductor pollicis brevis -- BDNF brain-derived neurotrophic factor -- EMG electromyography -- GABAA type-A gamma aminobutyric acid receptor -- HRR heart rate reserve -- LMMRM linear mixed model with repeated measures -- LTD long-term depression -- LTP long-term potentiation -- M1 primary motor cortex -- MEP motor evoked potential -- Mmax maximum M-wave -- MSO maximum stimulator output -- NIBS non-invasive brain stimulation -- RHR resting heart rate -- RMT resting motor threshold -- TMS transcranial magnetic stimulation -- SICF short-interval intracortical facilitation -- SICI short-interval intracortical inhibition -- THR target heart rate; exercise -- transcranial magnetic stimulation -- neuroplasticity -- intracortical inhibition -- motor training; Neurochemistry -- Periodicals; Neurophysiology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurochimie -- Périodiques; Neurophysiologie -- Périodiques; Neurochemistry; Neurophysiology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.05.049
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4522

Abstract

Abstract: The response to motor training is improved when preceded by a bout of aerobic exercise. However, the effect of exercise at different intensities on motor performance is not well understood. The aim of the current study was therefore to compare the neurophysiological and functional response to training with a ballistic abduction task following a single 30-min bout of low intensity continuous cycling exercise, high-intensity interval cycling exercise, or rest. In 13 healthy young subjects, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used to assess changes in the motor evoked potential (MEP), in addition to short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI), whereas performance was assessed by changes in thumb abduction acceleration performed over two consecutive days. High-intensity exercise resulted in increased MEP amplitude and decreased SICI immediately after exercise. Following training, the increased MEP amplitude that reflects training-dependent plasticity was not different between exercise conditions. In contrast, reductions in SICI following training on day 1 were increased following high-intensity exercise, but decreased following low-intensity exercise, whereas cortical disinhibition was abolished after training on day 2. Finally, low-intensity exercise resulted in improved ballistic motor performance on both days. Our findings provide some evidence to suggest that low-intensity aerobic cycling is beneficial for performance during subsequent ballistic training. Furthermore, the effects of exercise intensity on motor training may depend on the type of task performed. Highlights: Motor cortex excitability and ballistic motor training were examined after acute exercise. High intensity exercise increased motor cortex excitability and decreased intracortical inhibition. Training-dependent plasticity was not influenced by exercise intensity. Decreased intracortical inhibition after ballistic training was reduced for low-intensity exercise. Improvement in ballistic motor performance was greatest for low-intensity exercise.