A decade of progress in sports and exercise neuroscience from 2012 to 2022: A review and perspectives

Abstract

Note: Research in sports cognitive neuroscience typically employs brain imaging and modulation techniques. Commonly used brain imaging techniques include Electroencephalogram (EEG), Event-Related Potential (ERP), structural or functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI/fMRI), and Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS). Brain modulation techniques mainly include Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Transcranial Electrical Stimulation (tES). In the field of physical activity/exercise, cognitive neuroscience primarily focuses on the effects of physical activity and exercise on attention, memory, inhibitory control, and emotions, and their brain mechanisms. In competitive sports cognitive neuroscience research, researchers pay more attention to action observation and anticipation, motor skill learning, motor imagery, sports decision-making, and neurofeedback training. In future research in sports cognitive neuroscience, it is suggested to consider the complexity and dynamic characteristics of brain activity under sports situations, to develop towards open science, to carry out brain mechanism research based on individual differences, to take the body as a breakthrough point to carry out body-mind-brain integration research, and to move towards a new era based on artificial intelligence.