Altered Central Autonomic Network in Baseball Players: A Resting-state fMRI Study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Sports Science
• Cognitive Psychology

Background:

• Healthy individuals with high fitness exhibit enhanced cognitive control.
• Central autonomic network (CAN) plays a role in physiological regulation.
• Brain network adaptations are linked to physical activity and skill acquisition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how varying levels of sporting experience impact intrinsic brain networks.
• To examine the functional connectivity within the central autonomic network (CAN).
• To compare brain network connectivity in baseball players (advanced, intermediate) versus non-players.

Main Methods:

• Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was employed.
• Functional connectivity of four core CAN regions (pMCC, AMYG, aINS) was analyzed.
• Connectivity strength was compared across three groups: advanced players, intermediate players, and controls.

Main Results:

• A strong relationship was observed between CAN and sensory, motor, and cognitive networks.
• Advanced and intermediate baseball players showed enhanced connectivity between pMCC and sensorimotor networks.
• Players exhibited stronger connectivity between right aINS and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, and left AMYG and right putamen compared to controls.

Conclusions:

• Sporting experience, specifically in baseball, reorganizes intrinsic functional connectivity.
• Enhanced interregional coupling supports improved sensorimotor and cognitive control.
• These findings suggest neural adaptations supporting motor skill consolidation in athletes.