Abstract
PurposeExhaustive cardiovascular load can affect neural processing and is associated with decreases in sensorimotor performance. The purpose of this study was to explore intensity-dependent modulations in brain network efficiency in response to treadmill running assessed from resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) measures.MethodsSixteen trained participants were tested for individual peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak) and performed an incremental treadmill exercise at 50% (10 min), 70% (10 min) and 90% speed VO2 peak (all-out) followed by cool-down running and active recovery. Before the experiment and after each stage, borg scale (BS), blood lactate concentration (BLa), resting heartrate (HRrest) and 64-channel EEG resting state were assessed. To analyze network efficiency, graph theory was applied to derive small world index (SWI) from EEG data in theta, alpha-1 and alpha-2 frequency bands.ResultsAnalysis of variance for repeated measures revealed significant main effects for intensity on BS, BLa, HRrest and SWI. While BS, BLa and HRrest indicated maxima after all-out, SWI showed a reduction in the theta network after all-out.ConclusionOur explorative approach suggests intensity-dependent modulations of resting-state brain networks, since exhaustive exercise temporarily reduces brain network efficiency. Resting-state network assessment may prospectively play a role in training monitoring by displaying the readiness and efficiency of the central nervous system in different training situations.
Highlights
Increasing load during endurance sports challenges both the cardiovascular and the central nervous system
The aim of the present study was to explore the effect of exercise intensity induced by treadmill running on resting-state networks (RSN) efficiency derived from EEG-based graph analysis in a within-subject design
The present study demonstrates that RSN efficiency could be modulated by acute exercise as exhausting exercise seems to reduce network efficiency
Summary
Increasing load during endurance sports challenges both the cardiovascular and the central nervous system. While a well-adapted cardiovascular system is required to sufficiently supply the working muscles with metabolic energy during exercise, a highly developed interaction within the central nervous system is mandatory for motor coordination between upper-limb, trunk and lower-limb muscles (Bucher et al 2018) In this regard, a precise sequential order of movements is crucial for the athlete to move efficiently during exercise, especially in technically demanding endurance sports (Holmberg et al 2005). Phenomena like reduced motoneuron excitability and reduced motor unit firing rates seem to dampen motor output (Taylor et al 2016) Both reduced contractile function and modulated cortical processing may impair motor coordination
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