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Higher exercise intensity is linked to changes in frontal lobe activity
Abstract   Peer reviewed

Higher exercise intensity is linked to changes in frontal lobe activity

Vera Brummer, Stefan Schneider, Christopher D Askew and H K Struder
14th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science Book of Abstracts, p.299
Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, 14th (Oslo, Norway, 24-Jun-2009–27-Jun-2009)
2009
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Abstract

Human Movement and Sports Science physical exercise frontal lobe brain cortical activity
Introduction: The relationship between physical exercise and the human brain is going to develop as one of the key areas of sports medicine and science. To date the display of neural processes within the brain did require extreme complex and costly methods such as PET and fMRI. While both seem therefore only applicable to a small number of approaches, low resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (LORETA) enables the spatial identification and analysis of brain cortical activity via traditional EEG recordings. This study aimed to identify cortical regions that are affected by physical exercise. Methods: EEG was recorded before and after running at 50% and 80% V02peak on 18 healthy subjects aged 20-45 years. LORETA analysis of alpha-, beta- and gamma-activity served to statistically identify and display cortical regions that were affected by exercise. While alpha activity generally reflects normal brain function, beta indicates excitatory CNS activity. Results: After 80% exercise intensity data revealed a temporary increase of alpha-activity (8-12Hz) in the frontal lobe combined with a decrease of beta-activity (12-35) and gamma-activity (35-48Hz) in the occipital and temporal lobes immediately post exercise. Fifteen minutes post exercise the alpha increase vanished whereas beta and gamma changes remained stable. No significant changes were found after exercise intensity at 50% V02peak. Conclusion: A decrease of brain cortical activity, especially in the higher frequency areas has been postulated before and was interpreted as a decrease of cortical excitability. The fact that this now can be localised in specific regions might enhance the discussion about effects of exercise on brain performance and efficiency.

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