Skillful Cycling Training Induces Cortical Plasticity in the Lower Extremity Motor Cortex Area in Healthy Persons

Abstract

Cycling exercise is commonly used in rehabilitation to improve lower extremity (LE) motor function and gait performance after stroke. Motor learning is important for regaining motor skills, suggesting that training of motor skills influences cortical plasticity. However, the effects of motor skill learning in dynamic alternating movements of both legs on cortical plasticity remain unclear. Here, we examined the effects of skillful cycling training on cortical plasticity of the LE motor area in healthy adults. Eleven healthy volunteers participated in the following three sessions on different days: skillful cycling training, constant-speed cycling training, and rest condition. Skillful cycling training required the navigation of a marker up and down curves by controlling the rotation speed of the pedals. Participants were instructed to fit the marker to the target curves as accurately as possible. Amplitudes of motor evoked potentials (MEPs) and short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) evoked using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) were assessed at baseline, after every 10 min of the task (a total of 30 min), and 30 min after the third and final trial. A decrease in tracking errors was representative of the formation of motor learning following skillful cycling training. Compared to baseline, SICI was significantly decreased after skillful cycling training in the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle. The task-induced alterations of SICI were more prominent and lasted longer with skillful cycling training than with the other conditions. The changes in SICI were negatively correlated with a change in tracking error ratio at 20 min the task. MEP amplitudes were not significantly altered with any condition. In conclusion, skillful cycling training induced long-lasting plastic changes of intracortical inhibition, which corresponded to the learning process in the LE motor cortex. These findings suggest that skillful cycling training would be an effective LE rehabilitation method after stroke.

Gait and Functional Mobility in Multiple Sclerosis: Immediate Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) Paired With Aerobic Exercise

“…The exercise period included heart rate (HR) monitoring via Fitbit wristband (Fitbit Inc., California, USA) to ensure that each participant met the recommended target HR for the physical exercise for MS, training at moderate intensity corresponding to 60-80% of age-predicted maximum HR (47). Transcranial direct current stimulation was applied to the M1 cortex with the goal of enhancing the activation of the cortical pathways involved and activated during pedaling/cycling (48,49). Active and sham tDCS was delivered using the 1 × 1 tDCS mini-clinical trial device (mini-CT; Soterix Medical Inc., New York, NY, USA) using an optimized motor montage targeting the M1 area with supraorbital exit (C3 anode/Fp2 cathode according to 10/20 EEG), with two pre-saturated sponge surface electrodes (square shape, 5 × 5 cm 2 ).…”

Impact of Somatosensory Training on Neural and Functional Recovery of Lower Extremity in Patients with Chronic Stroke: A Single Blind Controlled Randomized Trial

“…Constant speed cyclic training, using a motorized cycle-ergometer (Kettler recumbent exercise bike Giro. R3, Germany) for 25 min (min) [ 31 ]. Patient’s feet were firmly strapped to the pedals.…”

“…The warm-up phase was a 5 min passive constant speed cycling, at 25 rpm. Active pedaling was performed for 15 min, followed by a 5 min cool-down phase of passive cycling, with a constant speed of 25 rpm too [ 31 , 32 ].…”

Repetitive Peripheral Magnetic Stimulation of Wrist Extensors Enhances Cortical Excitability and Motor Performance in Healthy Individuals

“…Peripheral nerve electrical stimulation is known to augment synaptic plasticity in motor cortex and spinal circuits in healthy individuals and in patients following stroke ( Ridding et al, 2000 ; Kaelin-Lang et al, 2002 ; Khaslavskaia et al, 2002 ; McKay et al, 2002 ; Knash et al, 2003 ; Everaert et al, 2010 ; Mang et al, 2010 ; Chipchase et al, 2011a , b ; Schabrun et al, 2012 ; Yamaguchi et al, 2012 , 2013 ; Gallasch et al, 2015 ; Sasaki et al, 2017 ; Takahashi et al, 2018 ). Since synaptic plasticity is observed following rehabilitation and motor skill training, these changes may play an important role in the recovery ( Nudo et al, 1996 ) and improvement of motor performance ( Lotze et al, 2003 ; Perez et al, 2004 ; Tatemoto et al, 2019 ).…”