Does exercise preference or adaptation matter for the effect on brain cortical activity

Publication: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution - Published abstract for conference with selection processResearchpeer-review

Abstract

A previous study showed differences between post-exercise brain cortical activities dependent on exercise mode (Brümmer et al. 2011). Because a decrease of brain cortical activity was revealed following running exercise but not bicycling, arm-cranking or isometric strength exercise, it was hypothesized that exercise preference or adaptation might play a role for the post-exercise effect on brain cortical activity. The present study aimed to proof the preference/adaptation hypothesis by testing a group of triathletes, who are adapted to both running and bicycling, but who prefer one of the two exercises. Ten professional triathletes were asked to perform two modes of triathlon (bicycling and running), each at their individual self-chosen intensity under field conditions. Electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded for 3min by 32 surface electrodes under rest conditions before (PRE), directly after (POST=0), 15min (POST15) and 30min (POST30) after exercise. Low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (LORETA) was applied to localize and export mean current density values (μV2/mm4) of the frontal, parietal, occipital and temporal lobe. The effect of exercise mode (bicycling, running), time (PRE, POST0, POST15, POST30) and preference (preferred, non-preferred) was calculated by ANOVA. Brain cortical activity decreased following running exercise comparing PRE and POST0, POST15 and POST30 within the frontal (p< .001), parietal (p< .001), occipital (p< .001) and temporal lobe (p< .001). No differences were found for bicycling exercise. No effect of exercise mode but an interaction of time and mode has been found for all regions of interest (frontal p= .012, occipital p= .048, parietal p< .001, temporal p= .005). PRE measurements of running and bicycling exercise did not differ (p>.27). Comparing the trials of the preferred with non-preferred mode revealed no difference for all regions of interest (frontal p= .943, occipital p= .438, parietal p= .987, temporal p= .664). The previously shown effect of exercise mode could be confirmed. This study shows that brain cortical activation state after exercise is not adaptation dependent. The hypothesized effect of exercise preference was disproven on the basis of the present group of triathlon athletes. Further studies using athletes with one concrete exercise preference should be used for verification. It is suggested that brain cortical activity after running exercise decreases due to the characteristics of running exercise.
Translated title of the contributionSpielt die Vorliebe für oder Adaptation an eine Sportart eine Rolle für den Effekt auf die kortikale Gehirnaktivität?
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationBook of Abstracts
Volume20
Publication date24.06.2015
Pages126
ISBN (Electronic)ISBN 978-91-7104-567-6, European College of Sport Science
Publication statusPublished - 24.06.2015
Event20th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science: SUSTAINABLE SPORT - Malmö, Sweden
Duration: 24.06.201527.06.2015
Conference number: 20

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