From sports-related to sport-specific movement performances: Approaching a method transfer in neuronal motor behavior

Understanding motor behaviour within sport- specific contexts remains a significant challenge in human movement neuroscience. Traditional EEG methodologies, which have largely focused on isolated motor tasks, often fall short in capturing the complex neural dynamics of realistic sporting movements due to signal contamination and mobility constraints. This dissertation addresses such limitations through three interrelated studies, aiming to bridge laboratory settings with real-world sports scenarios.
The first two studies employed an isometric dynamometer to assess wrist flexion muscle contractions versus relaxation tasks. Integrated EEG, EMG, and torque data elucidated the associations between prominent frequency bands (theta, alpha, beta, and gamma) and movement parameters like timing, muscle activation, and the rate of force development (RFD). These studies aimed to pinpoint transferable movement parameters for sports-related field tasks. Subsequently, a pilot study utilising a mobile EEG/EMG setup examined gymnasts during imagined and actual initiation of horizontal bar movements, evaluating the feasibility and challenges of applying laboratory methodologies in real-world sporting contexts.
Findings from the initial study challenged conventional beliefs by suggesting that alpha synchronisation reflects task-relevant inhibitory processes during muscular relaxation phases.
The second study highlighted that EEG broad-band desynchronisation might correspond to complex sensorimotor tasks, while task-specific synchronisation could be linked to high RFD, shedding light on potential motor control mechanisms. The pilot study's results indicated that although motor imagery shares computational elements with actual movement processing, it cannot fully substitute for the nuances of genuine sport-specific tasks in terms of arousal, alertness, and computational demand. Still, the successful transfer of the RFD from the lab to the field was evident as the neuronal adaptations during brisk movement initiation in the field mirrored those observed in the explosive condition from the second study. This research underscores the urgent need for further investigations addressing movement artifacts, precise recording of authentic performances, and the integration of machine learning techniques. Collectively, these studies forge a path towards a deeper understanding of the neuronal underpinnings of sports movements, emphasising both the advancements made and the challenges ahead.