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Updated: Feb 8, 2026

Cerebral Blood Flow-Based Resting State Functional Connectivity of the Human Brain using Optical Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy
Published on: May 27, 2020
Nonlinear neuroplasticity corresponding to sports experience: A voxel-based morphometry and resting-state functional
Chih-Yen Chang1, Yin-Hua Chen1, Nai-Shing Yen1,2
1Research Center for Mind, Brain, and Learning, National Chengchi University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Brain structure and function change non-linearly with sports expertise. Intermediate baseball batters showed unique gray-matter volume differences, suggesting complex neuroplasticity during skill development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Sports Science
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Sports expertise is associated with brain changes, but the trajectory of neuroplasticity is not fully understood.
- Previous research often assumed linear relationships between experience and brain alterations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate structural neuroplasticity and resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) across different levels of baseball batting experience.
- To determine if brain changes associated with expertise follow a linear or non-linear pattern.
Main Methods:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to compare regional gray-matter volume (GMV) and rsFC.
- Three groups were studied: skilled batters (SB), intermediate batters (IB), and healthy controls (HC).
Main Results:
- Regional GMV differences were better described by a quadratic than a linear function, with IB showing unique GMV patterns.
- GMV variations in motor and perceptual areas may relate to inhibitory control and pitch identification.
- Enhanced rsFC from the right middle temporal pole to the default mode network (precuneus) was observed in SB and IB, potentially linked to theory of mind and spatial processing.
Conclusions:
- Expertise development involves unique, transient brain changes, particularly during the intermediate phase.
- Structural and functional brain adaptations do not necessarily increase linearly with experience.
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