Abstract
Acute cardiovascular exercise (aCE) seems to be a promising strategy to improve motor performance and learning. However, results are heterogeneous, and the related neurophysiological mechanisms are not well understood. Oscillatory brain activitiy, such as task-related power (TRPow) in the alpha and beta frequencies, are known neural signatures of motor activity. Here, we tested the effects of aCE on motor performance and learning, along with corresponding modulations in EEG TRPow over the sensorimotor cortex. Forty-five right-handed participants (aged 18–34 years) practiced a visuomotor force-matching (FM) task after either high-intensity (HEG), low-intensity (LEG), or no exercise (control group, CG). Motor performance was assessed immediately, 15 min, 30 min, and 24 h after aCE/control. EEG was measured during the FM task. Results of frequentist and Bayesian statistics revealed that high- and low-intensity aCE had no effect at the behavioral level, adding to the previous mixed results. Interestingly, EEG analyses showed an effect of aCE on the ipsilateral sensorimotor cortex, with a stronger decrease in β-TRPow 15 min after exercise in both groups compared to the CG. Overall, aCE applied before motor practice increased ipsilateral sensorimotor activity, while motor learning was not affected; it remains to be seen whether aCE might affect motor learning in the long run.
Highlights
Acquiring, maintaining, and restoring motor skills is essential to accomplishing daily activities at home, at work, and during recreation, and allowing people to lead independent lifestyles
There was no improvement from the MP-block to the iML-block in any group, indicating that a performance plateau had been reached during practice
As we considered that the effects on the behavioral level are paralleled by modulations in task-related EEG power, we tested the hypothesis that the beneficial effects of high-intensity Acute cardiovascular exercise (aCE) on motor performance and on learning a visuomotor force-matching task (FM task) would be associated with modulations in α-task-related power (TRPow) and β-TRPow in the sensorimotor cortex in healthy young adults
Summary
Acquiring, maintaining, and restoring motor skills is essential to accomplishing daily activities at home, at work, and during recreation, and allowing people to lead independent lifestyles. A growing body of research has investigated whether motor performance and learning can be enhanced by even a single bout of acute cardiovascular exercise (aCE; for reviews, see [1–4]). Of the HR-max) has previously been shown to improve motor skill learning [5–10], and a recent meta-analysis indicated that it is more effective in comparison to lower intensity exercise [4]. The positive effects of aCE on neuroplasticity are thought to be related to several neurophysiological mechanisms. In this way, it is thought that exercise might act as a
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
