A single-bout of Endurance Exercise Modulates EEG Microstates Temporal Features

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Electrical neuroimaging offers insights into spontaneous brain activity post-exercise.
• Resting-state brain dynamics, particularly microstates, are crucial for understanding neural function.
• The relationship between exercise-induced brain changes and neuromuscular recovery remains an active area of research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of acute physical exercise on the temporal dynamics of resting brain activity using microstate analysis.
• To correlate observed brain activity changes with post-exercise neuromuscular function.
• To explore the role of the salience network in exercise-induced brain reorganization.

Main Methods:

• Twenty endurance-trained athletes underwent a 30-minute cycling task and a 10 km time trial.
• Resting electroencephalography (EEG) and knee-extensor neuromuscular function were assessed before and after exercise.
• Analysis focused on four conventional microstate topographies and their temporal characteristics.

Main Results:

• Both exercise protocols increased microstate class C stability and duration, along with transition probability towards class C.
• Post-exercise, increased class C global explained variance correlated with muscle alteration indices.
• Increased class C mean duration correlated with muscle alterations and reduced maximal voluntary force.

Conclusions:

• Acute physical exercise induces temporal reorganization in resting brain activity, characterized by changes in microstate class C.
• These brain alterations are linked to neuromuscular function and muscle fatigue.
• Muscle afferents may modulate the salience network, influencing brain state reorganization and motor behavior post-exercise.