The influence of marathon running on resting-state EEG activity : a longitudinal observational study

© 2023. The Author(s)..

Physical activity (PA) has positive effects on various health aspects and neuronal functions, including neuronal plasticity. Exceeding a certain exercise frequency and duration has been associated with negative effects. Our study investigated the effects of excessive PA with a marathon run (MA) and regular PA (training and recovery phases) on electrocortical activity, as measured by electroencephalography (EEG). Thirty healthy marathon runners (26 male, 45 ± 9 yrs) were enrolled in the study. Four resting-state 32 channel EEG recordings were conducted: 12-8 weeks before MA (T-1), 14-4 days prior to MA (T0), 1-6 days after (T2), and 13-15 weeks after MA (T3). Power spectrum analyses were conducted using standardized Low-Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography (sLORETA) and included the following frequency bands: delta (1.5-6 Hz), theta (6.5-8.0 Hz), alpha1 (8.5-10 Hz), alpha2 (10.5-12.0 Hz), beta1 (12.5-18.0 Hz), beta2 (18.5-21.0 Hz), beta3 (21.5-30.0 Hz), and total power (1.5-30 Hz). Statistical nonparametric mapping showed reduced power both in the alpha-2 (log-F ratio = - 0.705, threshold log-F ratio =  ± 0.685, p < 0.05) and in the delta frequency band (log-F ratio = -0.699, threshold log-F ratio =  ± 0.685, p < 0.05) in frontal cortical areas after MA (T2 vs. T0). These effects diminished at long-term follow-up (T3). The results can be interpreted as correlates for subacute neuroplasticity induced by strenuous and prolonged PA. Although previous studies reported an increase in alpha frequency during and directly postexercise, the adverse observation a few days after exercise cessation suggests counterregulatory mechanisms, whose complex origin can be suspected in subcortical circuits, changes in neurotransmitter systems and modulation of affectivity.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2024

Erschienen:

2024

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:124

Enthalten in:

European journal of applied physiology - 124(2024), 4 vom: 01. Apr., Seite 1311-1321

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Moussiopoulou, Joanna [VerfasserIn]
Pross, Benjamin [VerfasserIn]
Handrack, Mirjam [VerfasserIn]
Keeser, Daniel [VerfasserIn]
Pogarell, Oliver [VerfasserIn]
Halle, Martin [VerfasserIn]
Falkai, Peter [VerfasserIn]
Scherr, Johannes [VerfasserIn]
Hasan, Alkomiet [VerfasserIn]
Roeh, Astrid [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

Electrocortical activity
Electroencephalography
Exercise
Journal Article
Neuroplasticity
Observational Study
Physical activity
Plasticity
Running

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 22.03.2024

Date Revised 02.04.2024

published: Print-Electronic

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1007/s00421-023-05356-4

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM365104620