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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 21, 2026

Intracortical Inhibition Within the Primary Motor Cortex Can Be Modulated by Changing the Focus of Attention

Intracortical Inhibition Within the Primary Motor Cortex Can Be Modulated by Changing the Focus of Attention

Published on: September 11, 2017

Strength training reduces intracortical inhibition.

A T Weier¹, A J Pearce, D J Kidgell

¹Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, Deakin University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.

Acta Physiologica (Oxford, England)

|May 31, 2012

Summary

Four weeks of heavy squat training significantly improved strength and corticospinal excitability while reducing short-interval intracortical inhibition in the rectus femoris muscle.

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Published on: January 20, 2012

Area of Science:

Neuromuscular Physiology
Exercise Science
Motor Control

Background:

Corticospinal excitability and intracortical inhibition are crucial for motor control.
Strength training is known to induce adaptations in the neuromuscular system.
The specific effects of heavy load squat training on these neural factors require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the effects of 4 weeks of heavy load squat strength training on corticospinal excitability and short-interval intracortical inhibition in the rectus femoris muscle.
To compare these changes between a strength training group and a control group.

Main Methods:

Paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to assess neural adaptations.
Participants were randomly assigned to either a strength training (n=12) or control group.
Strength training involved heavy load squats, with neural measures evaluated before and after the 4-week intervention.

Main Results:

The strength training group demonstrated an 87% increase in 1RM squat strength.
Significant increases in corticospinal excitability (116% at 1.2x MT) and recruitment curve peak height (105%) were observed.
A significant 32% reduction in short-interval intracortical inhibition was found in the training group compared to controls.

Conclusions:

Short-term, heavy load strength training effectively reduces short-interval intracortical inhibition.
These findings suggest that intense voluntary muscle activation, as induced by strength training, modulates neural inhibition.
The observed neural adaptations are comparable to those seen with complex motor tasks and acute voluntary contractions.