Abstract
Background: In this study, therefore, we directed our attention to motion images of badminton and evaluated the effects of the presence or absence of actual hitting of the shuttle on F waves from the short abductor muscle of the thumb to collect information about the excitability of spinal motor neurons. Methods: The subjects were 10 male and female college students with no experience in playing badminton. F waves were recorded under 3 different conditions: 1) having the subject raise their arm without holding the racket and take a posture ready to return the flying shuttle by imagining the motion (non-racket posture; NRP), 2) having the subject hold the racket and take a posture ready to return the flying shuttle by imagining the movement (racket posture; RP), and 3) having the subject actually keep rallies for 2 minutes and, then take a posture to return the flying shuttle by imagining the movement (stroke posture; SP). Results: The amplitude of F waves relative to the maximum M wave was significantly larger in RP and SP than in NRP. The minimum latency of the F waves was significantly shorter in SP than in NRP. Conclusion: The results suggest that the excitability of spinal motor neurons is suppressed by holding the racket and that the conduction velocity of excitation in muscle fibers is increased by actually performing strokes.
Highlights
Research of mental representation of physical activities in the brain has shown motor areas centering on the primary motor area involved in an action can be activated by imagining the action even without performing it [1,2]
The results suggest that the excitability of spinal motor neurons is suppressed by holding the racket and that the conduction velocity of excitation in muscle fibers is increased by performing strokes
The results suggest that excitability of spinal motor neurons in receiving is suppressed by continuing to play badminton [5] and that a more rapid swing of the racket becomes possible by instantaneous change of muscle activities of the lower extremities associated with posture control and instantaneous synchronized mobilization of a large number of motor units [6]
Summary
Research of mental representation of physical activities in the brain has shown motor areas centering on the primary motor area involved in an action can be activated by imagining the action even without performing it [1,2]. By measuring brain waves during this experiment, the generation of N2 and P3 components larger than the event-related potential was confirmed in the practice group, indicating an improvement in the ability to expect shuttle movement compared with the control group. From these results, badminton players are considered to observe the motion pattern of the opponent, simulate the motion in the brain, and expect where the shuttle is aimed to be hit. By suppressing the activity of the myotatic reflex arc during receiving, badminton players are considered to reduce the effects of spinal reflex, which affect motion, and facilitate the execution of motions faithfully reproducing motor commands from the cerebrum
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