A1 Journal article (refereed)
Modulations of corticospinal excitability following rapid ankle dorsiflexion in skill- and endurance-trained athletes (2022)
Hu, N., Avela, J., Kidgell, D. J., Piirainen, J. M., & Walker, S. (2022). Modulations of corticospinal excitability following rapid ankle dorsiflexion in skill- and endurance-trained athletes. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 122(9), 2099-2109. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-022-04981-9
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Hu, Nijia; Avela, Janne; Kidgell, Dawson J.; Piirainen, Jarmo M.; Walker, Simon
Journal or series: European Journal of Applied Physiology
ISSN: 1439-6319
eISSN: 1439-6327
Publication year: 2022
Publication date: 21/06/2022
Volume: 122
Issue number: 9
Pages range: 2099-2109
Publisher: Springer
Publication country: Germany
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-022-04981-9
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/82712
Abstract
Long-term sports training, such as skill and endurance training, leads to specific neuroplasticity. However, it remains unclear if muscle stretch-induced proprioceptive feedback influences corticospinal facilitation/inhibition differently between skill- and endurance-trained athletes. This study investigated modulation of corticospinal excitability following rapid ankle dorsiflexion between well-trained skill and endurance athletes.
Methods
Ten skill- and ten endurance-trained athletes participated in the study. Corticospinal excitability was tested by single- and paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulations (TMS) at three different latencies following passive rapid ankle dorsiflexion. Motor evoked potential (MEP), short-latency intracortical inhibition (SICI), intracortical facilitation (ICF), and long-latency intracortical inhibition (LICI) were recorded by surface electromyography from the soleus muscle.
Results
Compared to immediately before ankle dorsiflexion (Onset), TMS induced significantly greater MEPs during the supraspinal reaction period (~ 120 ms after short-latency reflex, SLR) in the skill group only (from 1.7 ± 1.0 to 2.7 ± 1.8%M-max, P = 0.005) despite both conditions being passive. ICF was significantly greater over all latencies in skill than endurance athletes (F (3, 45) = 4.64, P = 0.007), although no between-group differences for stimulations at specific latencies (e.g., at SLR) were observed.
Conclusion
The skill group showed higher corticospinal excitability during the supraspinal reaction phase, which may indicate a “priming” of corticospinal excitability following rapid ankle dorsiflexion for a supraspinal reaction post-stretch, which appears absent in endurance-trained athletes.
Keywords: athletes; training; training response; neuromuscular activity; motor functions; reflexes; neuroplasticity; transcranial magnetic stimulation
Free keywords: physical exercise; training adaptation; stretch reflex; transcranial magnetic stimulation; corticospinal excitability
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2022
JUFO rating: 1
