Does physical exercise and congruent visual stimulation enhance perceptual learning?

Abstract

Purpose There is currently great interest in methods that can modulate brain plasticity, both in terms of understanding the basic mechanisms, and in the remedial application to situations of sensory loss. Recent work has focussed on how different manipulations might be combined to produce new settings that reveal synergistic actions. Here we ask whether a prominent example of adult visual plasticity, called perceptual learning, is modified by other environmental factors, such as visual stimulation and physical exercise. Methods We quantified the magnitude, rate and transfer of perceptual learning using a peripheral Vernier alignment task, in two groups of subjects matched for a range of baseline factors (e.g. age, starting Vernier threshold, baseline fitness). We trained subjects for 5 days on a Vernier alignment task. In one group, we introduced an exercise protocol with congruent visual stimulation. The control group received the same visual stimulation, but did not exercise prior to measurement of Vernier thresholds. Results Although the task generated large amounts of learning (~40%) and some transfer to untrained conditions in both groups, there were no specific benefits associated with either the addition of an exercise schedule or congruent visual stimulation. Conclusion In adults, short periods of physical exercise and visual stimulation do not enhance perceptual learning.

Rethinking amblyopia 2020

“…Similarly, while the administration of physostigmine promoted recovery from visual deprivation in rodents (Morishita et al, 2010), it failed to translate to humans (Chung et al, 2017). Other experimental treatments that seemed to succeed in rodents, such as exercise and dark exposure, also appear to be limited in their ability to promote recovery in human adults or higher order mammals (Holman et al, 2018;Campana, Fongoni, Astle & McGraw, 2020).…”

Cognitive exergame training and transcranial random noise stimulation effects on executive control in healthy young adults.

“…Exergames are also associated with high levels of appreciation and compliance (Maillot et al, 2012). Moreover, studies with adult participants reported that a moderate level of physical activity increased short-term plasticity in the visual cortex (Lunghi & Sale, 2015) and improved cognition in the elderly (Hughes et al, 2009); although other studies did not support these findings (Campana et al, 2020).…”

Exercise does not enhance short-term deprivation-induced ocular dominance plasticity: evidence from dichoptic surround suppression

“…In fact, the three subsequent studies all show small shifts (non-significant) in the opposite direction. In a similar vein, it has recently been shown that exercise does not enhance visual perceptual learning either (Connell et al, 2018;Campana et al, 2020).…”