Dissertation: Adaptation of corticospinal excitability after short- and long-term motor training
Research introduction
Motor training induces neural adaptation in the central nervous system. Different types of training have been shown to lead to adaptation in several ways. The present findings are related to corticospinal excitability—the communication pathway between the motor cortex and spinal cord—and its adaptation through motor training. By using non-invasive techniques, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation and peripheral nerve electoral stimulation, this thesis investigated the corticospinal excitability changes occurring in different motor tasks following short-term motor training intervention and among long-term skill and endurance training athletes.
Research findings
This research demonstrated distinct patterns of corticospinal excitability adaptation between short-term and long-term motor training. While short-term training primarily elicited neural adaptation from corticospinal to spinal level, long-term training induced sustained neuroplastic changes among athletes with different sport experiences, a finding which is indicative of enhanced motor skill retention. For example, skill-trained athletes demonstrated higher corticospinal excitability and endurance-trained athletes demonstrated higher spinal contribution in motor tasks.
These mechanisms encompassed synaptic plasticity and modulation within the brain and spinal cord, which provides valuable insights into the neurophysiology basis of motor learning. Therefore, from the perspective of neuroscience and motor learning, endurance training athletes should also do skill training to improve motor control and effective cortical functions.
Public examination event:
The title of Nijia Hu’s dissertation is ‘Adaptation of corticospinal excitability after short- and long-term motor training’. The public examination of the dissertation is on 26 February 2024, at 12:00 in Liikunta building (L304). The event will also be streamed live.
The opponent is Professor Markus Gruber (University of Konstanz) and the custos is Professor Janne Avela (Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥). The examination is held in English.
The dissertation is available in the JYX repository.