Exercise Intensity and Brain Plasticity: What's the Difference of Brain Structural and Functional Plasticity Characteristics Between Elite Aerobic and Anaerobic Athletes?

Keying Zhang,Ruidong Liu,Yu Liu,Chunmei Cao,Jianxiu Liu,Tao Zhao,Lingtao Zhang,Yih-Kuen Jan

doi:10.3389/fnhum.2022.757522

Abstract

This study investigated the differences in morphometry and functional plasticity characteristics of the brain after long-term training of different intensities. Results showed that an aerobic group demonstrated higher gray matter volume in the cerebellum and temporal lobe, while an anaerobic group demonstrated higher gray matter volume in the region of basal ganglia. In addition, the aerobic group also showed significantly higher fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) and degree centrality (DC) in the motor area of the frontal lobe and parietal lobe, and the frontal gyrus, respectively. At the same time, the anaerobic group demonstrated higher fALFF and DC in the cerebellum posterior lobe (family-wise error corrected, p < 0.01). These findings may further prove that different brain activation modes respond to different intensities of physical activity and may help to reveal the neural mechanisms that can classify athletes from different intensity sports.

Highlights

Exercise intensity is one of the most concerning components of exercise
Exercise can be divided into aerobic exercise and anaerobic exercise according to the different exercise intensities
Results showed that the aerobic group demonstrated higher gray matter volume in the region of the cerebellum and temporal lobe, while the anaerobic group demonstrated higher gray matter volume in several areas of basal ganglia

Summary

Introduction

Exercise can be divided into aerobic exercise and anaerobic exercise according to the different exercise intensities. There are three energy systems serving different needs of muscles when individuals are performing motors of different intensities. They are the aerobic energy system, glycolysis energy system, and adenosine triphosphoric acid and phosphocreatine (ATP-CP) energy system, the last two of which are called the anaerobic energy system (Gastin, 2001). Endurance and sprint performance, which support totally different physical activities, were largely decided by the working capacity of the aerobic energy system and anaerobic energy system, respectively. Specific endurance and strength training can improve the corresponding capacity. Studies have shown that anaerobic and anaerobic training could lead to adaptions in the cardiovascular system (such as cardiac output and stroke volume), muscular

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