Motor learning in a complex balance task and associated neuroplasticity: A comparison between endurance athletes and non-athletes

Studies suggested that motor expertise is associated with functional and structural brain alterations, which positively affect sensorimotor performance and learning capabilities. The purpose of the present study was to unravel differences in motor skill learning and associated functional neuroplasticity between endurance athletes (EA) and non-athletes (NA). For this purpose, participants had to perform a multimodal balance task (MBT) training on two sessions which were separated by one week. Before and after MBT-training, a static balance task (SBT) had to be performed. MBT-induced functional neuroplasticity and neuromuscular alterations were assessed by means of functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and electromyography (EMG) during SBT performance. We hypothesized that EA will show superior initial SBT performance and stronger MBT-induced improvements in SBT learning rates as compared to NA. On a cortical level, we hypothesized that MBT training will lead to differential learning-dependent functional changes in motor-related brain regions (such as primary motor cortex (M1)) during SBT performance. In fact, EA show superior initial SBT performance while learning rates did not differ between groups. On a cortical level, fNIRS recordings (TIME x GROUP interaction) revealed a stronger MBT-induced decrease in left M1 and inferior parietal lobe (IPL) for deoxygenated hemoglobin (deoxyHb) in EA. Even more interesting, learning rates were correlated with fNIRS changes (oxyHb) in right M1/IPL. Based on these findings, we provide novel evidence for superior MBT training-induced functional neuroplasticity in highly trained athletes. Future studies should investigate these effects in different sports disciplines to strengthen previous work on experience-dependent neuroplasticity.

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